Did Scooter Braun defend Taylor Swift against Donald Trump
Music executive Scooter Braun has come to singer Taylor Swift's defense after ex-US President Donald Trump publicly expressed his dislike for the pop star. "Shake it off Donald," Braun wrote on Instagram Stories, sharing a screenshot of Trump's message. This came after Swift endorsed 2024 presidential nominee Kamala Harris, prompting Trump to write, "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!" on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday.
Why does this story matter?
Braun's apparent support for Swift is interesting because of their public feud. The Ithaca Holdings founder came under the spotlight when the pop star accused him of buying the masters of her six albums without her knowledge. Braun, however, rejected these claims, alleging that Swift's father-manager Scott Swift received $16M for the transaction. In retaliation, Swift has been releasing Taylor's Version albums to reclaim her music.
Swift's endorsement of Harris and Trump's response
Swift, a 14-time Grammy winner, publicly endorsed Harris following the 2024 presidential debate. She praised Harris as a "steady-handed, gifted leader" and expressed support for her running mate Tim Waltz's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and women's reproductive rights. In response to this endorsement, Trump stated on Truth Social that he "hates" Swift and prefers her friend Brittany Mahomes who is a known supporter of his.
Swift's fans react to Trump-inspired merchandise
Following Swift's endorsement of Harris, Trump's campaign released merchandise inspired by the pop star. This move sparked outrage among Swift's fans who accused Trump and his team of "ripping off" her merchandise. Some fans even suggested that this situation warranted a lawsuit. The endorsement also led to a split among her followers, with videos of people burning their Taylor Swift merchandise going viral online.
Harris-Waltz campaign capitalizes on Swift's endorsement
The Harris-Waltz campaign seized the opportunity presented by Swift's endorsement. They began selling friendship bracelets on their official website, a nod to Swifties's tradition of swapping these bands at the Eras Tour. The Democratic National Committee also pushed for Taylor Swift-themed ads to be placed in Times Square and Las Vegas. This strategic move highlights how celebrity endorsements can influence political campaigns and voter sentiments.
