Taylor Swift faces backlash for Brittany Mahomes friendship amid Trump controversy

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Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

Taylor Swift is facing fan criticism after she was seen warmly embracing Brittany Mahomes, who last week was praised by Donald Trump for “strongly defending” him against online controversy.

Swift and Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City Chief quarterback Patrick Mahomes, were sitting together at the US Open Men’s Final on Sunday (September 8), along with Patrick and Swift’s boyfriend, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.

Following the event, pictures of Swift affectionately hugging Mahomes began circulating on social media, leading to an outcry from Swifties condemning the singer for cozying up to Mahomes, a supposed Trump supporter.

“Taylor girl, that’s not very Miss Americana of you like how can you stand to be around someone like that,” one person tweeted, referring to the pop star’s 2020 Miss Americana documentary.

The documentary’s title originated from the pop star’s 2019 track “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” a song protesting America’s political climate under Trump’s first presidency.

“I don’t expect a billionaire to lead the revolution or anything I’m just confused as to why one would make a movie about standing up for what’s right at any cost only to literally never stand for anything again,” a second person commented.

“Us level-headed Swifties are just as confused as you,” a third agreed.

“It’s disheartening when someone advocates for justice in film but fails to act consistently,” another added.

Others, however, defended Swift, arguing that “it’s OK if your friends vote for someone other than your preferred candidate.”

“So people can’t rise above politics as friends? Why not?” one questioned, while a second wrote: “I feel like living in a free country means that you can be friends with people that you don’t agree with on certain things, or maybe you just don’t align with their political or religious affiliations, but still like the person as a human being.”

The Independent has contacted Swift’s representative for comment.

Last week, Trump thanked Mahomes for “defending” him online amid controversy surrounding her apparent support for his 2024 presidential election campaign.

“I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country,” Trump posted from his Truth Social account.

“With Crime and Illegal Immigration totally out of control, INFLATION Ravaging all Americans, and a World that is laughing at the stupidity of our hapless ‘leaders,’ it is nice to see someone who loves our Country, and wants to save it from DOOM,” he added. “What a great couple - See you both at the Super Bowl!”

The former president’s post came in response to the social media firestorm 29-year-old Mahomes sparked in late August for “liking” a post from Trump titled: “The 2024 GOP Platform,” which outlined his priorities for a second-term administration.

While Mahomes appeared to remove her like from the post following the backlash, she later liked comments on posts promoting “Trump-Vance 2024.”

She also hit out at critics, saying: “I mean honestly, to be a hater as an adult you have to have some deep-rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.”

Swift, who has previously stayed away from vocalizing her political opinions, publicly backed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential election. Later that year, she directly tweeted at Trump: “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.”