President Trump was captured on camera telling reporters, "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now."
"Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25% less now," Pres. Trump jokes following Taylor Swift's endorsement of Democratic Tennessee senatorial candidate Phil Bredesen. https://t.co/D0fh71pQFl pic.twitter.com/4qeR6fCZcr
— ABC News (@ABC) October 8, 2018
He also called Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn a "tremendous woman" and said, "I'm sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything about her."
In fact, in her Instagram post, Swift wrote:
Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values.
Trump isn't the only Republican figure dismissing Swift's endorsement and discounting women's ability to process information and make an informed decision at the polls, though.
See some of the other reactions from red politicians, pundits and supporters below.
So @taylorswift13 has every right to be political but it won't impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote. Still with #MarshaBlackburn
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 8, 2018
Hey @taylorswift13 -
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 8, 2018
You just endorsed a Democrat in the Tennessee senate race with a ridiculous statement saying Marsha Blackburn, a woman, is against women
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about
Your career has never recovered since Kanye ended it
As expected, many of Swift's fans are also struggling to accept the singer's political declaration, but they seem to be handling the situation a bit more calmly and rationally than grown-ass men.
I'm a republican but I fully support Taylor. She spoke up for what she believes in & I couldn't be more proud of her for doing that. She handled it with grace & class. Not gonna be burning my merch any time soon🐍
— maddy|(taurus)HELD TAY'S HAND (@wisconswift) October 8, 2018
Yes a republican can be a swiftie & no I'm not going anywhere :)
You can be a swiftie and republican and we love you. Diversity makes society stronger but we need love and respect for each other💖💖
— alison linda (@alisonlinda1133) October 9, 2018
Y'all need to CALM DOWN and not take what @taylorswift13 said out of context. She just opinionated on her political stance. She NEVER mentioned how being a CONSERVATIVE/Republican is worse than being a LIBERAL/Democratic. She encourages people to VOTE based on their values.
— SwiftiesForever13 (@Linda_Swiftie) October 8, 2018
Others are just relieved she finally spoke out, even if it comes a little late. Others still are just straight up confused about the state of the world in 2018.
Huge congratulations to whoever finally convinced Taylor Swift to get on the right side of history.
— KB (@KaraRBrown) October 8, 2018
Taylor Swift just took the mic from Kanye.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 8, 2018
Taylor Swift cares more about black people than Kanye West and now I need to lay down because I got a headache just from tweeting that.
— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) October 8, 2018
It used to be Wildest Dreams but now it's this https://t.co/POZtGNIdRD
— Jenny Han can't come to the phone right now (@jennyhan) October 8, 2018
So... Kanye is MAGA and Taylor Swift is endorsing Democrats in TN. This screening of Interstellar 2 is fascinating. Buy a lottery ticket. Anything is possible in this timeline.
— roxane gay (@rgay) October 8, 2018
Look how you made her vote
— Sam Lansky (@samlansky) October 8, 2018
As for one of the democratic candidates Swift endorsed? Phil Bredesen is feeling pretty good about what she had to say.
Thank you for the kind words @taylorswift13. I'm honored to have your support and that of so many Tennesseans who are ready to put aside the partisan shouting and get things done. We're ready for it. Last day to register to vote is October 9. https://t.co/6Xd6YyaJCG pic.twitter.com/CatUBkXPKe
— Phil Bredesen (@PhilBredesen) October 8, 2018
