Why Did Harris Sign Taylor Swift’s Support of “Childless Cat Lady”?
(NEXSTAR) — Pop star Taylor Swift made headlines immediately after Tuesday’s presidential debate by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. This move ended weeks of speculation among her fans about whether she would support any candidate in the ongoing race.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Swift encouraged her followers to thoroughly research the issues and positions of the candidates that matter most to them. She emphasized the importance of making informed choices, sharing that she had done the same.
Swift also voiced concerns about AI-generated fake endorsements, particularly a fabricated one involving former President Donald Trump, which prompted her to communicate her real voting intentions clearly.
The post featured a photo of Swift with one of her three beloved cats, Benjamin Button, taken during her Time’s 2023 Person of the Year photo shoot. Swift’s signature “childless cat lady” was a nod to a controversial remark made by Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio.
Vance’s comment, which he made during a 2021 Fox News interview with Tucker Carlson, referred to Democrats as promoting an “antifamily” agenda led by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives.” This remark sparked backlash and became a talking point among Democrats, although Vance later claimed the comment was meant as sarcasm and a joke.
The term “cat lady” has been used to describe women who don’t conform to traditional societal roles, with roots possibly extending back to medieval times when women were sometimes accused of witchcraft. On the other hand, Swift has always been open about her love for her cats — Benjamin Button, Meredith Grey, and Olivia Benson — often featuring them on social media and in her music videos.
Swift has a history of political endorsements. In the late 2010s, she supported Phil Bredesen in his bid against Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), which contributed to increased voter turnout among young people. She also endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020.