Taylor Swift’s recent highly visible dinner with Sabrina Carpenter in New York City generated plenty of attention, featuring a carefully curated look and a clear awareness of being photographed. However, overshadowing the fashion and the friendship was a growing sense of unease among fans regarding the Trump campaign’s use of her music. Within a week, two official Trump-affiliated TikTok accounts used Taylor Swift songs for political videos — a situation that has prompted considerable discussion and criticism.
The Trump Campaign’s Use of Swift’s Music
Just three days prior to the dinner, the official White House TikTok account posted a video set to Swift’s single “The Fate of Ophelia.” The track was repurposed as “The Fate of America,” paired with imagery of the military, a missile launch, J.D. Vance, and a photo of former President Donald J. Trump’s mugshot, as reported by Rolling Stone. The following night, during Swift’s dinner with Carpenter, another video emerged from Trump’s official campaign account, utilizing the song “Father Figure.” Two songs in one week, both utilized for political messaging. Swift has not publicly commented on these uses.
Swift’s History of Protecting Her Music
The silence is striking, particularly given Swift’s long-standing and assertive stance on protecting her music and image. In 2014, she famously removed her entire catalog from Spotify citing compensation concerns. In 2017, her legal team sent a cease-and-desist letter to blogger Meghan Herning over an essay linking Swift to alt-right symbolism, a move that drew criticism from groups like the ACLU.
Swift’s vigilance extends beyond public figures. Fans have experienced this firsthand; in 2015, a UK couple’s wedding video was muted on YouTube after Swift’s “Shake It Off” played during their first dance. Swift’s team has reportedly issued DMCA claims on fan-uploaded videos, even when they weren’t monetized.
A Stark Contrast: Trump’s Opposition & Swift’s Response
The dissonance is heightened by the fact that the Trump administration is a political opponent Swift has publicly opposed – a president who last year blasted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” on Truth Social and whom Swift accused of using an AI-generated version of her voice to create a fake endorsement. Furthermore, Swift openly endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024. This backdrop makes Swift’s lack of response all the more noticeable. As one fan stated, “This is the second video with a Taylor Swift song and Swifties are still coming up with excuses. She could say something at any time.” Another fan was blunt, saying, “Taylor hasn’t said a word. She’s letting us know who she is.”
A Larger Pattern of Controversy During “The Life of a Showgirl” Era
The music usage controversy isn’t happening in a vacuum. “The Life of a Showgirl” era has already raised questions amongst fans. The release of over 30 physical album variants, costing north of $650 for completists, coupled with limited Instagram comments and lyrics perceived as cryptic, has tested her fanbase’s patience. A promotional video flagged by YouTube as “altered or synthetic content” further amplified concerns.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Response: A Powerful Comparison
The contrast with another artist’s response underscores Swift’s unusual silence. When the Trump administration used Olivia Rodrigo’s “All-American Bitch” in an ICE-themed video promoting self-deportation, Rodrigo swiftly condemned it as “racist, hateful propaganda.” This direct response highlights Swift’s decision not to comment as particularly noteworthy. The history between the two artists further complicates the situation: in 2021, Swift and her co-writers were quietly added to the credits of two Rodrigo songs after Rodrigo interpolated Swift’s work – a move sparking a larger discussion about power and ownership in music.
Taylor Swift’s silence on the Trump campaign’s use of her music isn’t just about a specific incident; it’s about a larger pattern of control and messaging that’s resonating with fans.
Ultimately, while Swift provided the internet with a highly-publicized dinner outing with Sabrina Carpenter, the greater story may be her silence – her failure to respond, object, or even acknowledge that the sitting president has now used two of her songs for political purposes. For an artist known for meticulously controlling every aspect of her narrative, this silence appears strategic – and fans are increasingly vocal about it
