In an unexpected turn of events, the evolving love story between music icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has taken a detour into the realm of political conspiracy theories. As the Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl, social media becomes a breeding ground for baseless rumors, ranging from Swift’s alleged involvement in Pentagon psychological operations to claims that the couple is part of a secret plot to secure President Joe Biden’s reelection in 2024. This article analyzes the origins of these conspiracy theories and explores the potential impact of Swift’s influence on the political landscape.
The Emergence of Absurd Claims
With the Chiefs’ success, a slew of unfounded conspiracy theories has surfaced on social media platforms. Prominent figures on the right, including former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, political activist Laura Loomer, and One America News Network host Alison Steinberg, have amplified these claims. The allegations range from Swift’s involvement in psychological operations to suggestions that the Chiefs’ Super Bowl success is part of a larger orchestrated plan for the game in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.
Swift’s Political Influence
Pop culture and politics have a long history of intertwining, with celebrities often playing a role in endorsing candidates. Swift, with her massive fan base, wields considerable influence. An SSRS poll reveals that approximately 6 in 10 U.S. adults consider themselves at least casual fans of Swift. Her previous encouragement for voter registration resulted in over 35,000 registrations on Vote.org. The article explores the potential impact of Swift’s influence on the upcoming presidential race and the fears on the right about her ability to sway public opinion.
Attempt to Discredit Swift
The false claims about Swift’s involvement in political conspiracies may be an attempt to preemptively blunt her impact on the political landscape. Joel Penney, an associate professor at Montclair State University, suggests that the recent surge of conspiracy theories aims to discredit Swift, challenging the limits of how potent such theories can be. Swift’s potential endorsement of Biden in the upcoming race could pose a significant challenge for those attempting to diminish her influence.
Swift and Kelce’s Political Stances
Both Swift and Kelce have made public statements on political issues, putting them at odds with the far-right. Swift broke her silence on political matters in 2018, endorsing Democratic candidates and criticizing Republican Marsha Blackburn. In 2020, she openly endorsed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Kelce faced criticism for promoting vaccines in an ad, aligning himself with Pfizer. The article explores how these stances may contribute to the conspiracy theories surrounding the couple.