Trump Slams Swift’s Harris Endorsement via Truth Social

Former US president Donald Trump has once again leveraged his platform, Truth Social, to express his distaste for Taylor Swift, lavishing praise on Sydney Sweeney instead. He has contrasted the ‘woke’ approach of Swift with Sweeney’s involvement in a controversial American Eagle jeans ad. This isn’t the first time Trump has expressed his contempt for the popular singer, betraying the deep division that exists in societal or celebrity reactions to political figures.

In the American Eagle advertisement that stirred the controversy, a billboard displayed next to Sweeney proclaims ‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.’ An intentional play on words sees Sweeney modifying ‘genes’ to read ‘jeans,’ pointing at the high-quality denim American Eagle is known for. However, critics interpreted this as insinuating that white beauty standards are genetically superior.

Trump’s social media commentary on celebrities and their political affiliations is something he’s been known for. His recurring scathing remarks about Swift have been elicited largely due to her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election – a move that seemed to trigger his ire and encourage his scornful counterattacks.

Swift’s political advocacy isn’t limited to supporting Harris’s election campaign. She also took a shot at the former president through an Instagram post. The post riposted a digitally manipulated image on Trump’s website that misleadingly showed Swift backing him. Swift has not been silent and has used her online presence to voice her disdain of such fraudulent moves.

Swift’s fans have proven to be fiercely loyal and go to lengths to support her online. Following President Trump’s post concerning Sweeney and American Eagle, there was a storm of protective backlash from the singer’s followers. No matter his intentions, Trump’s denouncement of Swift only serves to strengthen her supportive fanbase and further their belief in her stance.

The commercial success of Swift is inarguable, given her ‘Eras Tour’ grosses as the highest-grossing tour of all time, raking in a hefty $2 billion. With such a successful tour, Swift does not seem to need the approval of figures like Trump.

Yet, in the aftermath of Trump’s comments, the stock of American Eagle saw an unexpected boost, soaring by 14% on Monday. The brand might benefit from this upheaval; however, the underlying issues raised could be argued to overshadow any short-term gains.

American Eagle defended its position without hesitation, responding to the instigated controversy around their advertisement. Their Instagram post paraphrased their commitment to ‘celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way,’ subtly dismissing the accusations of promoting discriminatory beauty standards.

Political endorsement from celebrities is a highly divisive issue, particularly when the figures in question are high-profile, such as Swift and Harris. There’s an underlying presumption that these individuals’ opinions rest on shaky platforms, forged by media impressions rather than the substance of policy. Reacting to this, Trump’s condemnation of Swift can be seen more as a broad brushstroke critique of such unsupported celebrity endorsement.

Fulfilling his proclivity for being vocal about celebrity political endorsements, Trump used the platform to castigate both Swift, for her support of Kamala Harris, and implicitly blamed Harris for manipulating this adulation. Some might argue that Trump used this situation to further his distaste for Harris.

While Trump criticized Swift’s ‘woke’ attitude and endorsement of Harris, the overall sentiment echoed by fans and independent observers has been one of support for the singer. In contrast to Trump’s consistent chastising, the general populace has frequently praised Swift’s outspokenness and willingness to take a stance on political issues.

Trump’s remarks about celebrities, while inflammatory, also highlight the tension between political figures and the entertainment industry. His consistent targeting of Swift and Harris mirrors the conflict often seen between conservative politics and more progressive stance of the entertainment industry.

Reflecting on the influence celebrities have on politics, Trump’s critical comments on the likes of Taylor Swift and Kamala Harris can be seen as a form of pushback against their involvement. While he criticizes their engagement, paradoxically, this can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the power celebrities hold in shaping the political field.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding American Eagle’s ad campaign served as a catalyst for Trump to renew his attack on Taylor Swift and her endorsement of Kamala Harris. The impact on American Eagle’s stock, the response from the company, and the wider societal backlash all indicate the increasing interaction between celebrity, politics, and commerce.