President Donald Trump recently ignited controversy by publicly insulting pop star Taylor Swift while praising actress Sydney Sweeney, which has drawn significant attention amid ongoing political and cultural debates. Trump’s comments, made in early August 2025 on social media, escalated tensions, particularly affecting Swift’s partner, NFL star Travis Kelce, who has reportedly been angered by the remarks.
Trump’s Comments Highlight Political Divides in Celebrity Culture
In his posts, Trump claimed responsibility for Swift’s perceived decline in popularity, labeling her a “woke singer” who is “no longer hot.” He contrasted Swift with Sydney Sweeney, praising the actress’s new American Eagle jeans campaign and emphasizing her registered Republican status. Trump stated,
“Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves.’ Go get ‘em Sydney! […] Just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift. Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH [Social] that I can’t stand her (HATE!). She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT.”
This attack is not unprecedented. Earlier in May, Trump posted,
“Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT?’”
which reportedly sparked Kelce’s frustration and determination for a response. Swift herself has not directly addressed Trump’s insults.
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Campaign Stirs Varied Reactions
Actress Sydney Sweeney gained additional media spotlight with her American Eagle ad, which has generated mixed reviews. The campaign features Sweeney delivering the line,
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”
Critics argue that the ad unintentionally promotes eugenics, while others criticize its overt sexual tone. Supporters defend the campaign as a marketing strategy and accuse detractors of being influenced by excessive “wokeness.”
In a display of self-awareness, Sweeney posted on Instagram a video where she alters the ad by crossing out the word “genes” and replacing it with “jeans.” American Eagle has clarified that the campaign supports raising awareness about domestic violence, with a portion of the jeans’ purchase price donated to Crisis Text Line, a mental health charity.
Travis Kelce Channeling Frustration Into Offseason Training and Preparations
Kelce is reportedly “seething” over Trump’s disparaging remarks about Taylor Swift and is channeling that anger into his offseason workouts and conditioning ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Despite their public summer outings and Kelce’s lighthearted confirmation of having
“the best girlfriend in the world,”
his focus at training camp has been sharp. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has praised Kelce’s physical condition leading up to the team’s preseason opener.
The Chiefs are scheduled to face the Arizona Cardinals in their first preseason game on August 9, drawing attention to Kelce’s preparedness and potential impact following the recent controversy.
Implications of the Feud Between Trump, Swift, and Kelce
This public clash highlights the intricate intersections between politics, celebrity influence, and sports culture. Trump’s attempt to politically frame celebrity appeal has indirectly placed additional spotlight on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship, fueling media scrutiny and fan discussions. Kelce’s response through enhanced training efforts suggests he is using the criticism as motivation, which could influence his performance in the upcoming season.
As tensions continue, both the NFL community and pop culture fans await further developments, while the broader debate on the role of political commentary in celebrity and sports arenas remains highly charged.