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submitted 2 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

Donald Trump is trying to brush off the fact that he shared A.I.-generated images of Taylor Swift endorsing his campaign to his Truth Social account earlier this week, now claiming that he doesn’t know “anything about them.”

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[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 167 points 2 months ago

Given everything going on in this country and Trump's ability to turn everything he touches shit, I almost think Swift has to respond to this at some point. I'm surprised she hasn't already. I understand her desire to stay out of politics. But speaking out and denouncing this and everything about Trump isn't her getting into politics. It's her having to because Trump dragged her into it kicking and screaming.

She can't stop those images from circulating. But the more they circulate, the more chances that at least some people think they're real. Or at the very least, they may interpret her silence as a tacit endorsement. Some may even consider her a Trump supporter, especially those who don't follow either her or politics closely enough to know that while she's never taken an official political position, she's proudly left leaning. Either way, those pictures have a very high likelihood of causing reputational (and, by extension, financial) harm by alienating a chunk of her fan base who may think she endorses his viewpoints. Especially when paired with his post implying she endorsed him.

Are those pictures even still up on his feed? I'm not going on that mall-restroom Twitter knockoff of his to check. I was half-surprised not to see her legal team have a C&D letter sent to him with his early morning McDonalds the next morning, a public statement by lunch, and a lawsuit filed against him for implying she endorsed him by the time the courtrooms had closed. I would fucking love to see Trump try to bully down Taylor fucking Swift's legal team. You could put that shit on pay per view and eliminate the national debt.

[-] UnpopularCrow@lemmy.world 154 points 2 months ago

She did respond and said she wanted to wait until after her tour so her fans were safe. She is definitely alluding to an endorsement as well.

Here is the quote:

"Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows," Swift wrote. "In cases like this one, 'silence' is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to.”

https://www.themarysue.com/taylor-swift-owes-us-nothing/

[-] Chocrates@lemmy.world 102 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

When is her tour over?

Edit:

It commenced on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, and is set to conclude on December 8, 2024, in Vancouver, consisting of 149 shows that span five continents.

Welp, either she changes her mind or it'll be too late to do anything.

[-] 2piradians@lemmy.world 24 points 2 months ago

Maybe she just wants to stay out of it. I think that's responsible since Meal Team 6/Y'all Qaeda attacking her fans is a real possibility.

[-] Chocrates@lemmy.world 21 points 2 months ago

For sure, her quotes though seemed to Indicate to me that she wanted to voice her opinion but not until she could do it without affecting her tour

I mean, at the same time, I think it’s entirely rational to fear that Trump will attempt to gin up some stochastic terrorism targeted at not only her, but her audience. In that context, how she’s playing it is kinda just the best possible play.

[-] Chocrates@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

All I am saying is that if she wants to use her platform to encourage voting for Democrats, she cannot do so in time for it to make any difference in the election, if she waits until her tour is over.

[-] Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah I think this shows her true colors. She could act now, and likely have a genuine impact. But instead "doing this might hurt concert sales so I'll wait until the end of the tour which oh btw would be after the election tehe"

[-] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 42 points 2 months ago

Ah yes the famous "let the terrorists frighten you into silence" strategy

[-] ThunderWhiskers@lemmy.world 18 points 2 months ago

That's bullshit. Just because it's not convenient for our political strategy doesn't mean she has to risk her safety or the safety of her fans by further involving herself.

If she speaks out against the maniacal right there is a greater than zero chance that many innocent people other than her will be hurt. It would not be the first time.

[-] bestagon@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

She doesn’t have to do anything and I wouldn’t really expect her to take the Dead Kennedys approach. It makes it clear though, how politics in this country have gotten to where they are when those who make a play for power through force can command the narrative unopposed like that

[-] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 6 points 2 months ago

It is bullshit that the right wing has used the fear of political violence to chill free expression, yes.

I understand Ms Swift might prioritize the safety of her fans and her self, but the fact remains that that is a decision made in response to threats of terrorism (real or imagined, but definitely plausible)

[-] sudo@lemmy.today 8 points 2 months ago

She's just another fucking billionaire worried about her dollars above all else. Half of her fans are the part of the fascist cult that's ruining the US. If she were to denounce him, that would cut into her profits. having more dollars on top of a billion is just more important to her.

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this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2024
688 points (98.3% liked)

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