Bill Maher, the host of Real Time, recently discussed the potential impact of Taylor Swift on the upcoming presidential election. Joined by Bob Costas and Caitlin Flanagan, Maher brought up the superstar who has been making headlines for her music, Grammy wins, and her relationship with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Maher expressed his belief that Swift could have a significant influence on the election, stating, “This is a person who could literally swing the election.” He cautioned supporters of Donald Trump, particularly those who identify as “MAGA” (Make America Great Again), to be careful when attacking Swift because she transcends party lines.
Maher highlighted Swift’s background as a country artist and a white girl from Pennsylvania who grew up on a farm. He jokingly suggested that if “MAGA” is full of racists, they should appreciate Swift’s lack of interracial relationships. Maher emphasized that attacking Swift could backfire for Trump’s supporters, as her massive fan base has the potential to make a significant impact.
He explained, “Her voters perhaps are not registered at all, and she doesn’t have to say who she’s voting for. All she has to say is get registered. They know who she’s voting for.” Maher warned that attacking Swift could awaken a sleeping giant in terms of voter turnout.
While Swift has not publicly endorsed any candidate for the upcoming election, she has previously emphasized the importance of registering to vote and casting a ballot. Last year, after Swift encouraged her fans to register to vote using Vote.org on her Instagram Stories, the nonpartisan nonprofit organization reported a spike in voter registration. On National Voter Registration Day alone, Vote.org had 157,041 eligible voters visit their site, with 35,252 new registrations.
The discussion on Real Time also included writer and podcaster Coleman Hughes as a guest. The panel explored the potential impact of celebrities like Taylor Swift on the political landscape and the importance of engaging young voters.
In conclusion, Bill Maher’s discussion on Real Time shed light on the potential influence of Taylor Swift on the upcoming presidential election. With her massive fan base and previous efforts to encourage voter registration, Swift has the power to sway the election in unforeseen ways. Maher’s warning to Trump’s supporters highlights the need for caution when attacking Swift, as it could inadvertently mobilize her fans to vote against their preferred candidate. As the election approaches, it will be interesting to see how Swift’s actions and statements continue to shape the political discourse.