Taylor Swift. Singer. Songwriter. Pop icon. Political pundit? Well, not exactly. Over the years, the Queen of Hearts has transformed from a mere girl singing about love and heartbreak to a woman increasingly using her platform to advocate for important issues. Her journey from “no comment” to “I’m voting for that candidate” has been truly remarkable. From feminism to LGBTQ rights to outright criticism of the former president, Taylor Swift’s political views have been as much of a journey as her evolving musical style. So, let’s take a deep dive into the many, many times Taylor Swift has opened up about her politics. You might want to grab your popcorn for this one.
The Early Years: “I Don’t Know What I’m Talking About”
Let’s reminisce about the early stages of Taylor Swift’s career, when “Love Story” was the beloved song for every romantic. When asked about her political views, Taylor kept it classic—“I’m not talking politics”—for a while. In a 2012 interview with a Norwegian journalist, a 22-year-old Swift was asked about her stance on political issues. Her response? “I just figure I’m a 22-year-old singer, and I don’t know if people really want to hear my political views. I think they just kind of want to hear me sing songs about breakups and feelings.”
And honestly, who can blame her? She was occupied with reminiscing about Romeo and Juliet, rather than engaging in a detailed discussion of fiscal policy. However, as we all know, Taylor Swift didn’t simply stick to her niche. Over time, she came to understand that her platform encompassed more than just singing about her current ex-boyfriend.
Feminism and Feminine Realization
By 2014, something shifted. Taylor Swift became increasingly aware of her influence and, as it turns out, she had some opinions. In an interview with The Guardian, she confessed that she once thought feminism was all about “hating men.” Cue collective facepalms. But, like a true pop star, she came around to a more enlightened stance when her friend, Lena Dunham, explained to her that feminism is, in fact, about equality for all genders, not a vendetta against men.
Swift began to talk about her support for gender equality more openly. She joined the ranks of women advocating for the equal treatment of all genders, not just in Hollywood but in society at large. This was her first flirtation with political commentary that wasn’t limited to “I’m happy being single and writing songs about it.” This was a bona fide political awakening.
2016 Election — The Turning Point
However, it wasn’t until 2016 that Taylor took a real political stand, and oh boy, did things get spicy. We’re talking about the year when everything went a little… well, surreal—specifically, the election of a certain celebrity businessman. For years, Swift had avoided making public political endorsements, but after the 2016 election, it was clear she could no longer stay silent.
Fast forward to the Women’s March in 2017, where millions took to the streets to protest Donald Trump’s impact on women’s rights, and Swift tweeted a message of support: “So much love, pride, and respect for those who marched. I’m proud to be a woman today, and every day.” The internet quickly went into overdrive, asking, “But where were you in 2016, Tay?” Fair question. It was clear that Swift was ready to speak out—just not before that election.
The 2018 Midterms — Taylor’s Political Debut
In 2018, Swift went full throttle. Taylor made her first-ever public political endorsement on Instagram. It was a bold move, given the typically apolitical stance she’d maintained for most of her career. She posted a long message endorsing Democratic candidates Jim Cooper for House and Phil Bredesen for Senate in her home state of Tennessee. She didn’t mince words, slamming Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn for her track record on issues like women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality.
Swift’s post wasn’t just a tweet or a casual comment. Swift’s post was a comprehensive call to action, encouraging her millions of fans to become informed, register to vote, and make their voices heard at the polls. While Marsha Blackburn ultimately won the Senate seat, Swift’s post sparked a massive surge in voter registrations—65,000 new voters registered in just 24 hours after her endorsement. This is quite impressive for a pop star, isn’t it?