'R*pist': Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's photo with MAGA-linked NFL stars is sparking Swiftie outrage online
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce faced backlash after posing with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan (Getty Images)
Taylor Swift
and Travis Kelce are no strangers to the limelight, but their recent photo with controversial podcast hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan—known for their MAGA connections—has ignited backlash across social media.
What was meant to be a lighthearted moment at Kelce's 'Tight End University' turned into a flashpoint for political tensions between Swift's fanbase and the couple's new associations.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's flex photo with right-wing podcasters raises eyebrows among loyal fans
The now-viral image, posted by the hosts of the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, shows Swift and Kelce posing arm-in-arm with the former
NFL
players. The caption read: 'Confirmed: Taylor Swift is FOR THE BOYS,' a statement that didn't land well with her liberal-leaning Swiftie fanbase.
Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, who run the podcast, previously interviewed Donald Trump ahead of the last U.S. presidential election. UFC boss Dana White even credited the podcast with boosting Trump's campaign momentum, noting it helped "propel Trump to victory over Kamala Harris." That endorsement, combined with the duo's public MAGA affiliations—including a photo-op with Trump at a UFC event in 2023—has made them polarizing figures.
Fans were quick to express their disappointment. A fan @callsmybluff wrote, 'and taylor swift the so called '#1 enemy of republicans' is hanging out with republicans cause her little boyfriend is friends with them and even imitating trump's pose. So now what?'
Another user @beloved_hhost wrote, 'how many photos is it gonna take for swifties to realize that she's actively choosing to take photos & associate with these kinds of people? these are the people travis associates with & support the chiefs 'sHe DoEsN't GeT a SaY' fucking save it bc yes she does.'
Another user @Cinnemafill wrote, 'Taylor swift hanging out with her maga boyfriend and his rxpist friend but sure Joe alwyn is the evil guy here.
'
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce faces heavy backlash (SS via Twitter)
A deep contradiction between Taylor Swift's past activism and her recent company
What makes this controversy more explosive is Swift's past political stance. In 2024, she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in her bid for re-election. At the time, Trump fired back on Truth Social: 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!' He later doubled down with another insult, asking, 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT'?'
Many fans see her recent association with Trump-linked personalities as a betrayal.
One Swiftie commented, 'Imagine being rich enough to make the world a slightly better place... then actively choosing to surround yourself with these thugs instead.'
Also Read:
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's NFL flex pose sparks political controversy over Donald Trump comparison
Swift and Kelce have yet to address the backlash directly. But with her image so tied to progressive ideals, the optics of this moment could cast a long shadow on the public's perception of her—and their seemingly storybook romance.
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