Trump shares misleading AI-generated pictures of Taylor Swift and her fans, insinuating unwarranted endorsement from the singer.
Trump published a "I accept!" statement on his Truth Social platform, accompanied by a series of Swift-related images, some of which appear to be AI-generated. One altered image portrays Swift as Uncle Sam, stating, "Taylor desires you to vote for Donald Trump." Other pictures show Swift fans wearing "Swifties for Trump" shirts.
A Swift representative failed to respond promptly to CNN's request for comment on this matter.
One of the posts that Trump shared is satirical. It contains fake, AI-generated photos depicting "Swifties for Trump" in relation to the thwarted terrorist attack at Swift's Vienna concerts. The caption reads, "Swifties turning to Trump after ISIS thwarted Taylor Swift concert." The original X account confirmed that the post was merely a joke, writing, "LOL @realDonaldTrump shared my post."
Swift's fans, known as Swifties, have become politically active during this election cycle. Shortly after President Biden withdrew and endorsed Vice President Harris, a large group of Swift fans formed "Swifties for Kamala," an independent organization that encourages voters to support Harris and other Democratic candidates. This group, which boasts over 60,000 followers on X, has not been affiliated with Swift herself.
At the moment, an official "Swifties for Trump" group does not exist, although Swift does have a conservative, Trump-supporting fan base that has publicly expressed their affection for the former president on their social media platforms.
In response to CNN's inquiry, Trump's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, declared, "Swifties for Trump is an ever-growing phenomenon that gains momentum with each passing day!"
In 2020, Swift endorsed Biden and Harris for the White House.
During an October 2020 interview with V magazine, Swift expressed her feelings about her endorsement, stating, "We urgently need a president who appreciates that people of color deserve safety and representation, that women deserve autonomy over their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves recognition and inclusion."
On the eve of the 2020 vice presidential debate, Swift posted her support for Harris on social media, stating, "I'll be vigorously encouraging you all to watch and support @KamalaHarris by yelling at the TV a lot!"
Although Swift did not publicly endorse Harris in her current presidential campaign, she has sparked speculation among her fans. Following a recent concert on the European leg of her "Eras" tour, some Swifties believed that the singer had left a secret endorsement of Harris by projecting a woman's silhouette that resembled Harris onto the stage. However, CNN debunked this theory, confirming that the silhouette was actually one of Swift's background singers.
Swift, who was previously non-political for the first decade of her career, has become a vocal supporter of Democratic candidates and policies in recent years. She is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and frequently discusses women's rights and reproductive health.
In her 2020 documentary, "Miss Americana," Swift expressed regret for not speaking out about political issues earlier, remarking, "I need to be aligned with history's right side." Swift also showed resilience, stating that she wouldn't care if she faced backlash for opposing Trump.
Swift tweeted about her contempt for Trump in 2020, writing, "Just when you thought it was impossible to stoke even more fires of white supremacy and racism, your entire presidency does it. 'When looting starts, the shooting starts'??? We will vote you out in November."
In response to the controversial AI photos, a spokesperson for "Swifties for Kamala" rebutted, claiming that their group was formed because of their shared values with Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. "We trust that Harris-Walz will advocate for our rights and the rights of our loved ones, and aim to make America safer for everyone," Carly Long, director of communications for "Swifties for Kamala," told CNN. Additionally, they have raised over $10,000 for Harris' campaign and have more than 60,000 followers on X.
Regardless of Trump's post, it's evident that he understands Swift does not genuinely support him.
In the recently published book, "Apprentice in Wonderland," Trump shared his thoughts on Swift, stating, "She's quite attractive – very attractive! I find her very attractive. I believe she's liberal. She probably doesn't care for Trump."
Swift's left-leaning supporters took to social media to warn Trump away from her, stating, "Keep your distance from her."
The political engagement of Swift's fans has extended beyond traditional party lines, with some Swifties expressing support for conservative politicians like Trump.
Despite Trump's efforts to connect with Swift's fanbase, it's clear that Swift herself is a staunch supporter of Democratic candidates and policies.
