# Can someone explain the Taylor Swift phenomenon to me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 19, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339 "2023-03-19T02:50:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/722 "2023-12-15T16:02:17Z")
I would take that as an anti-Trump flag. “Save America again” by not electing him. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/723 "2023-12-15T16:14:02Z")
That she was created by Skynet to take over the Earth. Or maybe that we’re living in the Matrix. Or in the Lego World, where everyone is forced to love the same song. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/724 "2023-12-15T16:25:31Z")
So it’s definitely not about pesticides? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/725 "2023-12-15T16:51:32Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’ve never heard anything to suggest TS is a Trumpie - or even terribly political in any way. If she is NOT a Trumpie, I would think she would be troubled by this apparent attempt to associate her with him. She is overtly (since 2018) anti-Trump and anti-Republican, specifically motivated by the trashing of women’s right’s and the persecution of LGBT people. And she’s dating a prominent football player who once took a knee during the anthem and is a pro-vaccine advocate. The MAGAs are frothing about it. Swift Derangement Syndrome. The intent is undoubtedly to encourage people to save America by voting with Taylor, not by supporting Trump. I’m not sure I love the concept, because it certainly requires prior knowledge and a lot of older people may not know her politics. But I suppose the “made you look” approach can work. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/726 "2023-12-15T17:18:12Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > She is overtly (since 2018) anti-Trump and anti-Republican, … > > I’m not sure I love the concept, because it certainly requires prior knowledge and a lot of older people may not know her politics. But I suppose the “made you look” approach can work. Cool. I’m not sure “made you look” would be terribly effective for someone like me, who isn’t at all up on anything Swift. If I hadn’t asked here, I might have developed a general presumption that she was MAGA. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/727 "2023-12-15T23:54:13Z")
I don’t think she made those flags ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/728 "2023-12-16T15:16:07Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > If I hadn’t asked here, I might have developed a general presumption that she was MAGA. She came up through country music, is from a red state and chose to stay quiet in politics (until semi-recently) which a lot of conservatives took as “She’s conservative but playing the Hollywood game so she’s not persecuted”. Then she started speaking in 2018 and it was all shock and betrayal that she’s not a Trumper. The flags are just stuff someone else made. No reason to assume they’re condoned by her or officially licensing her name or connected to her at all. Just bootleg merch designed to show your affection for the singer via fake political swag. I doubt Ms. Swift is terribly aware of them and worries more (if at all) about the bajillion fake t-shirts actually siphoning significant money away from official stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/729 "2023-12-16T15:56:24Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > is from a red state She’s from Pennsylvania ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/730 "2023-12-16T16:33:52Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > She’s from Pennsylvania She was born there, but for relevant values of “from” she’s from Nashville. > **[Q&A: Why Taylor Swift Thinks Nashville Is the Best Place on Earth](https://time.com/14933/taylor-swift-nashville-interview/)** > > "Sorry, not sorry, I just love it here" ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/731 "2023-12-16T16:36:26Z")
I’ll take your word for it. I remember articles such [as this one](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2018/10/07/taylor-swift-getting-gasp-political-instagram-post/1562123002/) which included lines like > That changed Sunday night, when Swift posted a lengthy Instagram message about her hometown Tennessee Senate race, denouncing Republican incumbent Marsha Blackburn. And Swift posting… > I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. […] These are not MY Tennessee values Even if born (and raised?) elsewhere, she linked herself to Tennessee. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/732 "2023-12-16T21:52:01Z")
She’s from quite a nice neighborhood in Pennsylvania, though. Very upper middle class. Lots of tree-lined streets. A decent local museum. That sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/733 "2023-12-17T01:56:51Z")
It sounds as though she’s lived in TN since age 13, so throughout her career\*. That seems to qualify as “From Tennessee” to me much like President Lincoln is associated with “From Illinois” despite his log cabin address having been in Kentucky. I’ll admit I skipped reading her entire bio in Tiger Beat (and likely anyone assuming she was a closet conservative did as well) \*Unless she’s moved since her 2018 political awakening – don’t know don’t care ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/734 "2023-12-17T02:01:56Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Unless she’s moved since her 2018 political awakening – don’t know don’t care Well, too bad, 'cause you’re about to find out - she maintains eight residences, four in Manhattan, two in Nashville, one in Beverly Hills and one in Rhode Island. > **[Inside Taylor Swift’s 8 Incredible Homes](https://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-style/celebrity-homes/g21792583/taylor-swift-house-home/)** > > The music-industry juggernaut has built a real-estate empire worth $150 million. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/735 "2023-12-17T02:15:12Z")
I actually remembered the Rhode Island one because of some negative stories regarding her blocking off beach access. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/736 "2023-12-17T03:00:14Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > her 2018 political awakening She didn’t change her politics in 2018, what changed in 2018 is that she went _public_ with her views. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/737 "2023-12-17T03:11:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Well, too bad, 'cause you’re about to find out - she maintains eight residences, four in Manhattan, two in Nashville, one in Beverly Hills and one in Rhode Island. If you squint at that picture of her RI house you’ll see the Ocean House, a resort hotel we stayed at a couple of times. Swift’s house pretty much dominates the landscape in that direction, but we never saw it lit up. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/738 "2023-12-17T03:14:57Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > what changed in 2018 is that she went _public_ with her views. Which is what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/739 "2023-12-24T00:09:28Z")
> ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/740 "2023-12-24T01:28:53Z")
Who is that dude? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-taylor-swift-phenomenon-to-me/981339/741 "2023-12-24T01:42:56Z")
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