Trump likes Swift ‘25pc less’ as she backs Democrats
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has hit back at Taylor Swift after the pop star broke her political silence and revealed she was backing two Democratic candidates.
Ms Swift, who has been criticised in the past for refusing to disclose her political opinions, used Instagram to announce her support for Phil Bredesen for the Senate, and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives, as she prepares to vote in Tennessee in the mid-term elections in November.
The 28-year-old said she had chosen to speak out now “due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years”.
Mr Trump defended the Republican candidate in Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, and said he now liked Swift’s music “25pc less”. Speaking outside the White House, Mr Trump told reporters: “Marsha Blackburn is doing a very good job in Tennessee. She’s leading now, substantially, as she should. She’s a tremendous woman, I am sure Taylor Swift does not know anything about her and let’s say that I like Taylor’s music 25pc less now.”
In her Instagram post, Ms Swift said she felt compelled to speak out because she believes in “the fight for LGBTQ rights” and that “any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG”.
She added: “I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of colour is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.”
Ms Swift went on to say that she will not vote for Ms Blackburn, despite her desire to see women in office. “I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for all Americans, no matter their skin colour, gender or who they love.
“As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn.”