Additional Coverage:
- Taylor Swift used a familiar PR move to signal her support of Brittany Mahomes. This time, it backfired. (newsbreak.com)
### Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes Spark Controversy with Public Hug at the US Open
**Image Credits: MediaPunch/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; David Eulitt/Getty Images; Al Bello/Getty Images**
Taylor Swift caused a stir on Sunday when she was seen hugging Brittany Mahomes at the US Open. This encounter comes after rumors had circulated that Swift was distancing herself from Mahomes over political differences.
Swift, currently on a break from her “Eras Tour,” attended the event in Queens, New York, alongside her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and his wife, Brittany Mahomes.
The timing of this event attracted attention due to Brittany Mahomes’ recent controversial actions. Less than two weeks earlier, she faced backlash for liking an Instagram post from Donald Trump that included contentious, politically charged statements.
Instead of addressing the criticism directly, Brittany Mahomes dismissed her detractors as “haters” in a vague Instagram story, later amplifying her stance by retweeting a message about loving and respecting differing views. Trump even acknowledged her support on Truth Social.
Swift, known for her Democratic leanings and vocal criticism of Trump, did not endorse a presidential candidate this year. This, coupled with her history of supporting other women publicly, led many of her fans to hope she would distance herself from Brittany Mahomes. Earlier, at the Chiefs’ first game of the season, Swift and Mahomes were noticeably separated, fueling speculation that Swift was making a political statement.
This speculation was heightened by Swift’s history of using public appearances to express solidarity with women, such as dining with Sophie Turner post-divorce news or collaborating with Ice Spice after her ex-boyfriend Matty Healy made offensive comments about the rapper. Fans perceive these alliances as reflections of Swift’s values.
However, Brittany Mahomes is a polarizing figure, partly due to her defense of her brother-in-law, Jackson Mahomes, who was accused of sexual assault. Swift herself has a history of advocating against sexual assault, which makes her association with Brittany Mahomes surprising to many of her fans.
With the upcoming election, Swifties, many of whom support Vice President Kamala Harris, are frustrated by Swift’s amicable interaction with a Trump supporter and her silence on endorsing Harris. The media has framed Swift and Mahomes’ recent appearance as debunking feud rumors, but fans remain critical.
Swift’s public actions are closely scrutinized, especially after her 2016 promise to be more politically vocal, which she reiterated in the 2020 documentary “Miss Americana.” Her recent reluctance to take a public stance has led to fan backlash, with social media rife with criticism.
The intensity of the public response indicates that fans expect Swift’s public actions to align with her private beliefs. Whether her future actions will address these concerns remains to be seen.