As Taylor Swift became the biggest pop star on the planet, WorldNetDaily started considering what threat she might pose to the right-wing extremism it espouses. It went for the demonization route in a Nov. 29 article republished from the right-wing Western Journal quoting a Catholic exorcist claiming that “Taylor Swift concerts are ‘probably’ attracting demonic activity” and that “Swift has incorporated elements of witchcraft into her performances.” In the same vein, WND stole a March 3 article from FaithWire claiming that “Former Boyzone singer Shane Lynch is accusing Taylor Swift of engaging in “demonic rituals” during her ongoing Eras Tour.”
The real threat that WND is afraid of, though, is the effect she might have on the 2024 presidential election. It stole a Jan. 30 article from Rolling Store about how Trump supporters are planning a “holy war” against Swift if she involves herself in the election. WND columnists are also weighing in as well. Daniel McCarthy began his Feb. 5 column by fretting:
She’s just won the Grammy for album of the year.
Her boyfriend is on his way to the Super Bowl.
Will Taylor Swift end 2024 as triumphantly as she began it – by tipping the presidential election?
Fans surge to register whenever Swift promotes voting, and she endorsed Joe Biden last time.
McCarthy then dismissed thte idea that Swifties might influence the election:
But it’s a fair bet most Swifties who care about elections are already on the rolls and included in polling; they’re not a swing constituency.
And while new registrations matter, every presidential election produces plenty of those.
[…]Swift’s politics are simply too ordinary to make her a force for change.
Her views are fine-tuned to fit what her listeners (and peers in the entertainment industry) already believe.
What’s true of her music applies to her opinions; this is safe, mainstream stuff for the masses, or rather, since the masses and political consensus are a thing of the past, this is what a large but limited market wants.
[…]What happens when the two halves of Swiftism, feminist and feminine, are pulled apart by progressives’ attacks on the meaning of men and women?
Across the developed world, women are moving left while men are going right.
But it’s hard to see a place for the well-defined femininity of Taylor Swift in the future progressives are building.
For now, the Swifties lean left; tomorrow, when the consequences of progressive politics sink in, they may come to a new appreciation for the right.
James Zumwalt spent his Feb. 7 column mocking the idea that people take political cues from celebrities:
It is a sad commentary on presidential elections in this country. A vote cast for the candidate of choice should clearly be exercised by voters after determining which one best represents the interests of our country. It is not a decision to be taken lightly or made based on the thinking of others with celebrity status. Celebrities tend not to do the necessary research on candidate issues indicative of who is most qualified to hold office, tending at times to rely on misinformation in making their choice.
A recent Newsweek poll reveals that a segment of U.S. voters are awaiting a certain celebrity to provide them with a green light as for whom they should vote, without even knowing the celebrity’s political views on a myriad of issues. Perhaps motivated by her Time magazine “Person of the Year” appearance, Taylor Swift has been identified as a celebrity 18% of voters – almost one in five – say that they are “more likely” or “significantly more likely” to heed and vote for the candidate she supports. This percentage represents three of four Americans under age 35 and 4% of voters 65 and over.
With 279 million Instagram followers, Swift – even at 18% – could have an influential impact. It is why presidential candidate Joe Biden is considering what needs to be done to reign in her support, which she gave him in 2020. Hopefully, Swift will not publicize her decision this time around and will adhere to some of her own advice given in 2012: “I don’t talk about politics because it might influence other people. And I don’t think that I know enough yet in life to be telling people who to vote for.”
[…]It is frightening to think we have a young generation of Americans who look to a celebrity like Taylor Swift for leadership in how to cast their votes, perhaps too busy listening to her songs to research the political issues of our time. On the other hand, such celebrities need to recognize the responsibility with which they are entrusted, taking great care to study the candidates and their positions before going public with whom to support. I doubt they will but pray they do.
But doesn’t Zumwalt write his column in no small part as an effort to instruct people on how to cast their votes?
Wayne Allyn Root used his Feb. 9 column to threaten to destroy Swift if she does anything in politics that doesn’t advance the cause of his idol Donald Trump:
Here is my message to Taylor Swift on Super Bowl weekend.
Many in the media are saying Taylor may soon announce her endorsement of President Joe Biden.
Let’s call this a “Bud Light warning.”
[…]My advice to Taylor Swift: STAY OUT OF POLITICS.
It’s that simple. We don’t expect Taylor Swift or other artists/entertainers to suddenly become conservatives. We just want them to shut up and stay out of politics. Stick to what you know best. Sing, act, entertain. Politics is not your talent. Politics will turn off your audience and poison your brand.
Taylor Swift has an amazing career. She is a fantastic entertainer. She is beloved by her fans. But that can end in a moment. A Bud Light moment.
Overnight Taylor could lose a large portion of her fans and sales. Let’s be conservative (excuse the pun). How about if she loses 20% or 30% of her sales? Is that smart? Is that a positive for her brand?
Taylor, is it really worth hundreds of millions of dollars to turn off a large portion of your fans?
For what? To side with a decrepit, failing old man, with dementia and diapers, who every poll shows is the most unpopular and disliked president in modern history?
[…]Keep singing, Taylor. Keep entertaining. Good luck with your relationship with Travis Kelce.
But stay out of politics. Don’t risk your brand on the most unpopular president ever. Or you will be “Bud Light-ed.”
We’re pretty darn good at this now!
Root never actually mention what drove the right-wing anti-Bud Light frenzy — it was because the company refused to hate transgender people as much as they do.