‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT’ to ‘Terrific Person’: Trump’s Taylor tough-love sparks fan buzz over her Chiefs game no-show as Travis Kelce stays quiet

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are back in the political crossfire after the White House used Swift’s No. 1 song “The Fate of Ophelia” in an official TikTok video showing Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and military imagery.

It landed like a grenade online.Trump once typed “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” in all caps, yet his administration is now soundtracking content with her voice. Swifties lit up the comments, accusing the White House of trying to borrow her cultural power after years of hostility between Trump and Swift.

Donald Trump praised Taylor Swift after calling her “not hot” and saying he hates her

Trump’s history with Swift is documented, messy, and public. In 2018, Swift backed Democrats in Tennessee and criticized Republican Marsha Blackburn’s record on LGBTQ and women’s rights.

Trump responded by saying he liked her music “about 25 percent less.”In 2020, after Trump posted “When the looting starts the shooting starts,” Swift fired back directly on X.“We will vote you out in November.”

By 2024, Trump took credit for the Music Modernization Act and then posted, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” when Swift endorsed Kamala Harris. He also wrote, “Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’”This same feud hit a reset when Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce announced their engagement in 2025.

Trump shifted tone and said, “I wish them a lot of luck. I think he’s a great player. I think he’s a great guy and I think that she’s a terrific person.”The White House TikTok then used “The Fate of Ophelia” while showing Trump hugging the flag, giving thumbs up, and flashing military visuals. Comments were immediate: “TAYLOR SWIFT SUE THEM” and “it is the fact that he ‘hates’ her but uses her song when it helps him.”Music rights questions surfaced instantly. Rihanna, Adele, and Queen have all opposed politicians using their music without permission.

Swift has a history of publicly calling out political messaging tied to her work.

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs remain silent as Taylor Swift skips Bills game after Buffalo incident

While the political internet exploded, Swift was seen in New York City having dinner with Gigi Hadid during the Chiefs bye week. She skipped the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills, a 28 to 21 loss. She has attended all Chiefs home games this season but did not appear in Buffalo.Swift previously faced intense attention during the 2024 AFC title game in Buffalo, where the environment became hostile enough that friends of the Kelce family later said it was “not a great experience.”

Security concerns have increased for Swift after security threats in 2025. Reports say she now spends about $8 million per year on security.Kelce was not pictured in New York, but fans online noted Swift’s engagement ring worth an estimated $1.5 to $2 million. Kelce told GQ, “Whenever I am with her, it feels like we are just regular people. When there is not a camera on us, we are just two people that are in love.”The Kansas City Chiefs sit at 5 to 4 and face the Denver Broncos on Nov. 16. Kelce leads Kansas City in receiving with 41 catches and 540 yards. Patrick Mahomes will lean on Kelce in a tight AFC West race.Swift has not responded to the TikTok. She has previously called Trump’s leadership “gaslighting” and criticized COVID-19 handling. Right now she is quiet, but the comments section is not.