Former Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Sunday that the Republican Party is attacking superstar Taylor Swift and promoting conspiracy theories about her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. It suggested they were pursuing an unwise strategy.
During a panel discussion on ABC News’ “This Week,” Priebus was asked about the renewed attention in conservative media about the possibility that Swift would support President Biden’s re-election campaign, saying, “It’s a gunpowder of stupidity. I think it’s a warehouse.”
Priebus said the attacks will only alienate Republican voters.
“You’re talking about the two most popular things in America right now: Taylor Swift and the NFL. And there’s a party that wants to make the tent bigger. To attack the two most popular people in America right now: Taylor Swift and the NFL. I don’t think that’s obviously a good way to go about it. I think there should be some things that we can agree on in America, and that’s two things,” Priebus added.
Priebus’ comments followed a New York Times report that said the Biden campaign is actively hoping to tap Swift’s support to sway younger voters who are less engaged in politics. .
The report sparked a week of conspiracy theories on social media and among political conservatives that Swift was working to help Biden win. Rolling Stone reported last week that former President Trump’s allies are pledging a “crusade” against Swift, especially if she supports Biden heading into November.
But Priebus doubted whether Swift’s endorsement would have much of an impact in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.
“Even if she takes a political position — she doesn’t like Trump, that’s fine — I don’t think that’s going to change, I don’t think it’s going to change anyone’s vote in November,” Priebus said. . “But what could potentially change people’s votes is, you know, if you start thinking of these kinds of conspiracy theories.”
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has voiced his support for Trump, is perhaps the most high-profile Republican to pursue Swift so far, and the NFL comes as Democrats look for Swift’s Kansas City lover. This is fueling the theory that soccer matches are being rigged. support.
But Priebus, who served as Trump’s first chief of staff, argued that much of Swift’s backlash is coming from “people on the internet,” not from Republican voters.
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