• Home
  • Mail
  • News
  • Finance
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Search
  • Mobile
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    • Mail
    Entertainment Home
    Follow Us
    • The It List
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Celebrity
    • Music
    • Live Celeb Chats
    • Videos

    Taylor Swift makes most public political statement of her career, says she cannot support Marsha Blackburn

    Lauren Tuck
    News Editor
    Yahoo CelebrityOctober 8, 2018
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    Throughout her career, Taylor Swift has been reluctant to publicly voice her political opinions. But on Sunday night, a day after wrapping up the U.S. leg of her “Reputation” tour, she took to Instagram to share a lengthy post about the midterm elections in November.


    The 28-year-old admitted that she’s changed her view because of several events in her life and the world over the past two years. “I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country,” she wrote. “I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.”

    She continued that she cannot vote for “someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love.” That’s why Swift, who is registered to vote in Tennessee, is endorsing Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Both are Democrats.

    Notably, she’s directly opposing Marsha Blackburn, the current Republican representative for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. “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,” Swift said. “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.”

    She concluded her lengthy post by imploring young people to register to vote.

    Reactions to Swift’s Instagram have been overwhelmingly positive.

    @taylorswift13 thank you so much for using your voice. Thank you so much for saying you’re against discrimination towards LGBQT ie any hate because of sexual orientation or gender, thank you for speaking up about systematic racism towards POC.. thank you FOR taking a stand. 🌈✨

    — Zainub Amir (@zainubamir) October 7, 2018


    Oh my God. Taylor Swift CAME THROUGH. pic.twitter.com/zw7gaJSMoW

    — Molly Knight (@molly_knight) October 7, 2018


    Suddenly, I’m a Taylor Swift fan

    — ainsley brown (@AinsleyBBrown) October 8, 2018


    omg taylor swift finally taking a real political stance is making me cry

    — halfway happy (@betweenjoy) October 8, 2018


    Bredesen chimed in as well.

    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


    During the 2016 election, the “Bad Blood” singer remained quiet while most of her close celebrity friends — including Lena Dunham, Blake Lively, Emma Stone, and more — campaigned for Hillary Clinton. On election day, she simply posted a selfie with the message: “Today is the day. Go out and VOTE.”

    In March, Swift made a rare comment on current events when she posted about March for Our Lives after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. She also made a donation to the campaign to end gun violence.


    Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: 

    • ‘I’ll wear whatever I want to OUR revolution’: Emily Ratajkowski fires back after being shamed for not wearing a bra during protest
    • Carrie Underwood shows close-up of her scar from 2017 accident
    • ‘That’s not how #MeToo works lady’: Kellyanne Conway slammed for congratulatory Kavanaugh tweet
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    What to Read Next

    • Incredible Footage Shows Python, Honey Badger and a Pair of Jackals Viciously Fighting in Botswana

      People
    • 'Star Wars' actress Daisy Ridley under fire for denying she has 'privilege,' comparing herself to co-star John Boyega

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Social Media Influencer Sentenced to 14 Years for Devising Plan to Steal Domain Name at Gunpoint

      People
    • Gwen Stefani Asks to 'Cut the Cameras' After Breaking Down in Tears During 'The Voice' Semifinals

      Entertainment Tonight
    • The right stuff: Donnie Wahlberg opens up about giving back, bad-boy image, and the 'greatest Christmas present' he gave Jenny McCarthy

      Yahoo Music
    • Ryan Reynolds says he hired actress from viral Peloton ad because backlash can be 'alienating'

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • 'Bachelorette' star J.P. Rosenbaum diagnosed with rare autoimmune disorder

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Newlywed Virginia Couple Missing After Leaving Voicemail About Being Burned by New Zealand Volcano

      People
    • John Legend confesses to star contestant Katie Kadan: “You deserve more than ‘The Voice’”

      Yahoo Music
    • Mom Guilty of Murder After ‘Throwing’ 2-Month-Old Son into Crib, Causing Skull and Rib Fractures

      People
    • Vanna White was 'very nervous' to host 'Wheel of Fortune' after Pat Sajak's emergency surgery

      Yahoo TV
    • Ryan Reynolds Narrowly Escapes a Collapsing Barricade at Comic-Con Experience in Brazil

      People
    • Taco Bell Worker Allegedly Swings Machete at Drive-Through Customer After They Couldn't Hear to Order

      People
    • Eminem Says He 'Demands an Apology' After Nick Cannon's New Diss Track Featuring Suge Knight

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Woman Shocks Botched Doctors by Revealing She Has Two Implants in Each of Her Breasts

      People
    • Jillian Michaels warns of 'glamorizing' obesity: 'We’re politically correct to the point of endangering people'

      Yahoo Celebrity

    North Korea calls Trump 'erratic' old man over tweets

    Ed Veglia: "North Korea in recent weeks has said it is unwilling to continue rewarding Trump with meetings and summits..." Kim has turned the tables on the stable genius and is now dictating terms for the relationship. The North Korean, now recognized as a legitimate world leader, had his way with the dotard and doesn't need him any more.

    Join the Conversation
    1 / 5

    2k

    • Nick Cannon Slams Eminem in New Diss Track: 'My Baby Mama Killed You Off a Decade Ago'

      People
    • Nick Jonas Says Priyanka Chopra Is 'Jealous' His Brothers Got To Attend the 'Jumanji' Premiere (Exclusive)

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Khloé Kardashian Reveals What Happens to the Leftover Food from Her Family's Extravagant Parties

      People
    • Sadie Robertson Praises Husband Christian Huff for Saying Her Stretch Marks Are 'So Cool'

      People
    • 'The Voice': Gwen Stefani says 'cut the camera' after this Top 8 singer left her in tears

      USA TODAY Entertainment
    • Cara Delevingne Deletes Tweet Claiming She and Ashley Benson 'Broke Up'

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Tinsley Mortimer's Now-Fiancé Scott Kluth Gave Her an 'Ultimatum' Before She Quit RHONY: Source

      People
    • Marie Fredriksson, Roxette Singer, Dies at 61

      The Wrap
    • Bachelor in Paradise’s Dean Unglert Says He Isn’t Proposing to Caelynn Miller-Keyes Just Yet

      People
    • Newlyweds Honeymooning in New Zealand Leave Mom Voicemail About Volcano Eruption

      Inside Edition CBS
    • Drugs, Guns Confiscated From Juice Wrld’s Plane

      Variety
    • Juice WRLD was given Narcan after seizure, woke up but was incoherent before death: Report

      Yahoo Entertainment
    • 2020 Golden Globe instant predictions: Netflix is poised to make history

      Yahoo Movies
    • Steve Harvey announces the wrong winner during Miss Universe 2019 costume contest

      Yahoo TV
    • Clint Eastwood, 89, 'Doesn't Think About' Age: 'Who The H--- Would Want to Live This Long'

      People
    • DiCaprio’s girlfriend, Camila Morrone, defends their 23-year age gap

      Yahoo Entertainment