Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL superstar Travis Kelce has stirred up conspiracy theories and speculation in right-wing circles. Fox News host Jesse Watters suggested that Swift may be a Pentagon asset used to combat online misinformation, while others believe she and Kelce are being artificially propped up by the media pending an upcoming Swift endorsement of Joe Biden. These theories align with other right-wing conspiracy theories and the right’s broader agenda. Swift has endorsed Democrats in the past, and Kelce was featured in a Pfizer ad for the COVID-19 vaccine. Republican beliefs in secret rulers and vaccine-autism theories contribute to the polarization of opinions on Swift.
The possibility of a Swift endorsement of Biden has also sparked discussion. In political science, Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 is often cited as a powerful celebrity endorsement. However, a Swift endorsement would be different as Biden is running as an incumbent without a serious primary challenger. Polling shows that the effect of a Swift endorsement could be a net wash, with some respondents saying they would be more likely to support a Swift-backed candidate and others saying they would be less likely to support her favored choice. Partisan-motivated reasoning may also influence these responses, as Swift’s prior backing of Democrats and perceived liberalism may affect how her supporters and detractors perceive her endorsement.
Ultimately, a Swift endorsement may have a marginal impact in the election, with many other factors at play. What may be more significant is Donald Trump’s response to a Swift endorsement of Biden. Public opinion polling after Trump’s Access Hollywood remarks in 2016 showed that many believed he had little respect for women, yet his numbers among women voters improved in 2020. Trump’s response to a Swift endorsement could potentially shape how voters view him more than her endorsement of Biden itself.
