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?
The Trump Era – A Whole Lot of Criticism
By this point, it was clear: Taylor Swift had some strong feelings about Donald Trump. In 2019, during an interview with The Guardian, Swift remarked that her apoliticism ended after witnessing Trump’s shock win in 2016. In fact, she directly criticized the tactics used in that election, calling them dirty and manipulative. Later, when Trump made a particularly insensitive tweet in the wake of the George Floyd protests, Swift didn’t hold back. In response, Taylor Swift slammed him, pointing out the hypocrisy of someone who had spent their presidency fostering racial division and white supremacy, only to later act as though they were morally superior while making threats of violence.
After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? ‘When the looting starts the shooting starts’??? We will vote you out in November. @realdonaldtrump
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 29, 2020 Loading...
In the years that followed, Swift became more vocal, slamming Trump for his ineffective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his attempts to undermine democracy. The pop star wasn’t just talking about politics anymore—she was in politics.
Swift’s Stand on LGBTQ Rights and Black Lives Matter
Throughout her political evolution, Taylor didn’t just focus on party lines—she took firm stances on social justice. During Pride Month 2019, Swift made headlines by urging her followers to support the Equality Act, which aimed to protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals. She also released the music video for You Need to Calm Down, which featured cameos from LGBTQ advocates and a clear message of support for equality.
Additionally, Taylor Swift was an outspoken advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement. She tweeted about the systemic racism and police brutality in the U.S. and used her platform to encourage voting for candidates who would address these issues. Her 2020 song “Only the Young” was a rallying cry for younger generations to stay politically engaged in a time when it seemed like everything was falling apart.
Family Feuds and Pushing Back
Taylor’s outspoken political views didn’t always sit well with her team—or her dad. In the 2020 documentary Miss Americana, viewers got an intimate look at the pushback Taylor received from her family when she first considered voicing her political opinions. In one emotional scene, Taylor gets into a heated argument with her father and team about the potential backlash she could face, including the risk of losing fans. However, she firmly maintained her position, emphasizing the importance of being on the correct side of history.
And while it was a tough choice, Taylor’s decision to speak out on politics ultimately solidified her reputation as a fearless advocate for social change.
2020 Elections – Swift’s Bold Endorsements
By the time the 2020 presidential election rolled around, Taylor was firmly on Team Biden. She publicly endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, calling them the leaders America needed to “start the healing process it so desperately needs.” Swift also showed her support by publicly baking Biden-Harris cookies—because who doesn’t want to eat a cookie with political frosting, right?
And in a signature Taylor move, she signed her endorsement post with something that showed just how much she didn’t care about the fallout from her political views. Swift wrapped up her post by saying, “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.” Yes, you read that right. It was a cheeky, self-aware, and honestly brilliant way to stick it to the haters.
The 2024 Election
In the 2024 elections, Taylor remained vocal about her political views, this time supporting Kamala Harris for a second term. She shared on Instagram that she believed Harris was a capable and steady leader, emphasizing that the country would achieve much more if it were guided by calm rather than chaos. Of course, this did not sit well with Trump, who tweeted, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” As if the feeling wasn’t mutual.
Politics and Pop Music, Together at Last
So there you have it—everything Taylor Swift has said about politics over the years. Taylor Swift has demonstrated that making a difference in the world is not limited to singing about relationships. Whether she’s supporting LGBTQ rights, criticizing Trump, or endorsing candidates who support social justice, Taylor Swift’s journey from country sweetheart to political powerhouse is just one of many chapters in her ever-evolving career.
One thing’s for sure: if you were hoping for Taylor Swift to stay neutral, you’ll be waiting a long time. And who could blame her? When you’ve got millions of people listening, it’s hard to ignore the power of your voice—especially when you’re shaking it off for a good cause.