Honestly, if you turned on a TV anytime in the last year, you probably saw Taylor Swift. She’s everywhere. But it’s not just the Eras Tour or the glittery outfits. If you flip over to Fox News, the conversation takes a sharp, often weirdly intense turn. One minute they’re talking about her being a "psyop" to help the Democrats, and the next, Sean Hannity is literally on air saying he "hates people hating on Taylor Swift."
It’s a bizarre tug-of-war.
The relationship between Taylor Swift and Fox News isn't just about music or celebrity gossip. It’s about how she’s become a massive, glittery Rorschach test for the American political landscape. To some hosts, she’s a dangerous liberal operative. To others, she’s a missed opportunity for the GOP to reach young women.
Why Fox News is Obsessed with Taylor Swift
The network's coverage isn't one-size-fits-all. It fluctuates based on who is behind the desk. Take Jesse Watters, for example. He went viral for a segment questioning whether the Pentagon was using Taylor as a "psychological operations" asset. It sounded like a fever dream, but it sparked days of discourse.
Then you have the 2024 election cycle.
When Swift officially endorsed Kamala Harris—signing herself as "Childless Cat Lady" in a direct jab at JD Vance—the network went into overdrive. They didn't just report the news; they analyzed the vibe. Some contributors called her "all vibes and no policy." They pointed to a drop in her favorability among Republicans, which, duh, was bound to happen.
But here is the kicker: Fox News' own polling in late 2024 showed that Taylor Swift actually had a higher favorability rating than most politicians. She was sitting at a +3 net positive when both Trump and Harris were underwater.
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People like her. A lot. And that’s a problem for a news outlet that often frames her as the "woke" enemy.
The Travis Kelce Factor
Everything shifted when she started dating Travis Kelce. Suddenly, the Taylor Swift and Fox News dynamic moved from the political desk to the sports desk. It was a collision of worlds. You had NFL "purists" complaining on air that there was too much "Taylor coverage" during games, while hosts like Greg Gutfeld cracked jokes about her "bad choices in men."
It felt personal.
Wait, it actually was personal for some. When Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, started "liking" Donald Trump’s posts on Instagram, Fox News jumped on it. They framed it as a rift in the suite. Headlines screamed about them sitting separately. It was the ultimate "Mean Girls" narrative applied to national politics.
Eventually, the two were seen hugging at the US Open, and the "feud" fizzled out. But the network had already squeezed every drop of engagement out of it.
The Comey Cameo
Perhaps the weirdest moment in recent Taylor Swift Fox News history involved former FBI Director James Comey. In August 2025, a video of him went viral where he confessed to being a massive "Swiftie." He talked about mowing the lawn while listening to the 10-minute version of All Too Well.
Fox News had a field day.
They used it to bridge their two favorite topics: Taylor Swift and the "Deep State." By linking her music to a figure like Comey—whom they’ve spent years criticizing—they reinforced the idea that Swift is the soundtrack for their political rivals.
Breaking Down the "Psychological Operation" Theory
Let's be real for a second. The idea that a pop star is a covert government asset is wild. But on Fox, it became a talking point because of her sheer reach. When Taylor posted a link to Vote.org, over 337,000 people clicked it within 24 hours. That is real power.
Fox pundits often frame this not as "civic engagement," but as "indoctrination."
- They claim she is out of touch.
- They suggest she lives in an "ivory tower."
- They argue her fans are being "duped."
It’s a classic strategy: if you can’t beat the influence, discredit the source.
Why the Audience is Torn
You’d think the Fox audience would just flat-out hate her, right? Not really.
There is a huge segment of "Conservative Swifties" out there. These are moms who grew up with her country music and now take their daughters to the Eras Tour. They love her work ethic and her "American Dream" success story.
This creates a tension for Fox News. They want to bash her "woke" politics, but they don't want to alienate the millions of viewers who actually like her songs. It’s why you’ll see Sean Hannity defend her one night and then a guest on The Five roll their eyes at her the next.
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What This Means for the Future
As we head deeper into 2026, the Taylor Swift and Fox News saga isn't going anywhere. With her engagement to Travis Kelce reportedly official as of August 2025, the "All-American" narrative is only getting stronger.
The network will likely continue to walk this tightrope. They’ll cover her weddings, her tours, and her baking phases (yes, even the sourdough) because it brings in viewers. But the second she mentions a policy or a candidate, the "liberal elite" labels will come right back out.
If you're trying to navigate this as a fan or a casual observer, keep a few things in mind.
First, look at the numbers. Taylor’s political endorsements definitely move the needle on voter registration, but they don't necessarily flip "Red" voters "Blue." They mostly mobilize people who were already leaning left.
Second, remember the "cringe" factor. Both sides of the aisle use Taylor Swift to make their opponents look "cringey." Whether it's Comey singing her lyrics or pundits acting like she's a threat to national security, it's all part of the same performance.
Your Next Steps
- Check the Source: When you see a "breaking" story about Taylor Swift on a political network, ask if it’s about a real event or just a reaction to a social media post.
- Separate Art from Commentary: You can enjoy the music without needing to adopt the political baggage assigned to it by cable news.
- Follow the Data: If you’re interested in her actual impact, look at voter registration statistics from non-partisan groups rather than pundit "vibes."
The noise isn't going to stop. In fact, with a potential 2026 wedding on the horizon, the coverage is only going to get louder. Just remember that at the end of the day, she's a musician, and they're a news network—and both of them are very good at keeping you watching.