Taylor Swift has been a formidable force not only in music but also as an advocate for social and political change. Recently, former president Donald Trump posted AI-generated images of Swift endorsing him, which have sparked widespread discussion about her actual political stance. In this post, we’ll delve into Taylor Swift’s real political history, debunking myths and exploring her influence on the socio-political landscape.

In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Taylor Swift officially endorsed Joe Biden for president. She expressed admiration for then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s debate performance and communicated her political beliefs to V magazine by stating:

“The change we need most is to elect a president who recognizes that people of color deserve to feel safe and represented, that women deserve the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves to be acknowledged and included.”

In addition to her endorsement, Swift celebrated Biden’s victory with custom-made cookies, symbolizing her support in a lighthearted yet meaningful way.

Taylor Swift had been relatively private about her political beliefs until 2018. This changed when she publicly endorsed Phil Bredesen, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee.

“In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now,” Swift explained on Instagram.

Swift emphasized voting based on candidates who will protect human rights—a sentiment she consistently advocates for.

• Youth Gun Control: Swift publicly supported the March for Our Lives movement, which campaigns for stricter gun control laws in the United States.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: She has shown support for the Equality Act and openly identifies as pro-LGBTQ+.
• Reproductive Rights: Swift describes herself as “obviously pro-choice” and has spoken out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
• Racial Justice: In 2019, she referred to Trump’s presidency as an “autocracy” and advocated for removing Confederate statues in Tennessee.

Taylor Swift’s advocacy extends beyond just words; her music has been used to further political causes. Her song “Only the Young” featured in a campaign ad for California Democrat Eric Swalwell, underscoring her impact on political engagement.

The influence of Taylor Swift extends to her vast fanbase, often referred to as “Swifties.” Their collective voice can sway public opinion and catalyze change. A report from Change Research highlighted that a significant portion of Swifties would likely vote for Democratic candidates.

“If an election was held today, and there were only two candidates on the ballot, 69% of Swift Fans would vote for Biden, 21% Trump, and 10% are unsure,” the report noted.

Furthermore, California governor Gavin Newsom once remarked that Swift’s influence on future elections could be “profoundly powerful.” This was demonstrated when a single Instagram story from Swift led to nearly 35,000 new voter registrations.

Some argue that Taylor Swift’s influence on the economy—termed “Swiftonomics”—shows how her actions can have far-reaching effects. Her ability to mobilize and inspire her fanbase translates into meaningful political participation.

As we move toward future elections, it will be intriguing to see if Swift continues her trend of impactful endorsements. With her history of supporting progressive causes, a potential endorsement could significantly shape the political landscape.