A rumor that singer Taylor Swift was banned from country music after a "big endorsement" circulated online in September 2024, ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. For example, on Sept. 19, the Facebook account The Patriots Network posted the following meme, plus a quote from an unidentified source:
Taylor Swift Banned from Country Music After Big Endorsement: "She Should Stick to Singing, Not Politics"
(The Patriots Network/Facebook)
As of this writing, the Facebook post had received 2,400 reactions and 1,000 comments, with users sharing varying opinions on the political implications of Swift's so-called big endorsement. The meme referred to Swift's Sept. 10 endorsement of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election
One commenter wrote, "I'm sure miss Swift is disappointed that 'Nashville's elite' are mad about her endorsement of Harris, but I doubt she will lose any sleep over it. She is a powerful woman, that has always done the right thing, is fair and just in her treatment of others and has literally given millions upon millions to charities and the world. I would dare Trump or any other of the 1% wealthy bigots to match generosity. But they won't, they are using their millions to fly into space, or build aircraft carrier size yachts or purchasing multiple mansions."
Another commenter responded, "But it is ok with Kid Rock to endorse Trump. I love those freedom of speach people !"
Swift announced her endorsement of Harris via her official Instagram account:
At the top of the comments section of The Patriots Network Facebook post, the account's author pinned a comment linking to an article on SpacexMania.com published the same day as the Facebook post. The article offered greater detail about Swift's alleged ouster from the country music community:
Taylor Swift Banned from Country Music After Big Endorsement: "She Should Stick to Singing, Not Politics"
In a twist that could have been written in one of her own breakup ballads, country music has seemingly dumped Taylor Swift. Following her high-profile endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the country music establishment has decided to cut ties with their once-golden girl, leaving her out in the cold. The official line from Nashville? "She should stick to singing, not politics."
Swift, who became a global superstar through her heartfelt country songs before crossing over into pop stardom, is now facing the ultimate snub from the very industry that helped launch her career. The backlash has been swift (pun intended), with country radio stations quietly pulling her songs from playlists and industry insiders slamming her for stepping into the political ring.
However, there was no evidence to support the claim that Swift has been banned from participating in country music due to her endorsement of Harris for U.S. president. No reputable outlet has reported on this supposed news, and the alleged quotes attributed to Swift by SpaceXMania have not been reported elsewhere.
Rather, the rumor about Swift being ousted by the country music establishment due to her political leanings originated with SpaceXMania.com, a website that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:
We are a team of writers and editors based in New York, USA. Our mission? To bring you the freshest fake news, some sassy analysis, and a good dose of satire, all rolled into one crazy concoction that orbits around Elon Musk and everything that's lighting up the viral/trending charts.
In addition, The Patriots Network Facebook page where the post appeared also had a disclaimer, which read:
The Patriots Network is a Network of Satire and Parody affiliated with SpacexMania.com
Additionally, in the top-left corner of the Facebook meme, a "Rated Satire" badge was clearly visible, while in the bottom-right corner a stamp read, "This is a 'FICTIONAL QUOTE.'"
Snopes has addressed similar satirical claims about Swift and her political preferences in the past, including the assertion that she lost 30 million social media followers after endorsing Harris, and that Coca-Cola ended its partnership with the pop star after she said she would vote for Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
For background, here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that call their output humorous or satirical.