Former president claims Swift owes him endorsement for signing Music Modernization Act
Former president Donald Trump recently blasted pop star Taylor Swift as being “disloyal” for not endorsing him in the 2024 presidential election. Trump made the claims in a post on his Truth Social platform, arguing that Swift owes him her endorsement because he signed the Music Modernization Act in 2018.
Trump Says He Made Swift “So Much Money”
In his social media post, Trump wrote “There’s no way she could endorse Crooked Joe Biden, the worst and most corrupt President in the History of our Country, and be disloyal to the man who made her so much money.” The former president was referring to himself, claiming credit for the Music Modernization Act which updated laws on royalty payments to artists. Trump claimed the act made Swift “so much money”, implying she now owes him her political allegiance.
Swift Endorsed Biden in 2020
In 2020, Taylor Swift endorsed president Joe Biden in the election against Donald Trump. She spoke out against Trump’s policies and leadership. This came after Swift had avoided discussing politics for much of her career. By claiming Swift’s refusal to endorse him makes her “disloyal”, Trump is suggesting she now owes him her support because he signed a law supposedly beneficial to her career and income.
Trump Had Little Role in Music Modernization Act
However, attorneys and others who worked on the Music Modernization Act have disputed Trump’s claims to have been instrumental in its passage. The act was a bipartisan effort in Congress, sponsored by Republican representatives Bob Goodlatte and Orrin Hatch. Trump signed the legislation but did not play a substantive part in crafting or pushing for its passage.
Act Updated Royalty Laws, Especially for Streaming
The Music Modernization Act made significant updates to music copyright laws. Most importantly, it changed how songwriters and publishers are paid royalties, especially when their music is streamed online through services like Spotify. The act allows creators to be compensated more fairly, updating outdated laws that did not account well for new technology like music streaming. It provides more Structure by creating a new nonprofit, the Mechanical Licensing Collective, to collect and distribute royalties. While beneficial for the music industry, Trump exaggerates his role in passing the act. Experts say he deserves little if any credit for its impact.
Swift Unlikely to Endorse Trump Due to Policy Differences
Despite Trump’s claims, it appears highly unlikely Taylor Swift will endorse Donald Trump in 2024. Swift has many substantive policy differences with Trump that would make her endorsement improbable.
Swift Advocates for LGBTQ Rights
One major divergence is on LGBTQ rights. Swift has consistently advocated for equality. She pressed the senate to pass the Equality Act and accused Trump of attacking the LGBTQ community in a 2020 tweet. Meanwhile, Trump pursued policies like banning transgender people from serving in the military.
Swift Supports Reproductive Rights
Another disagreement is on abortion access. Swift has partnered with Planned Parenthood and donated to March for Our Lives. Trump frequently states he opposes abortion rights. This stark contrast makes Swift endorsing Trump very improbable.
Differences on Immigration and Racial Justice
There are many other policy areas where Swift appears at odds with Trump as well. She has advocated for the DREAM Act and condemned Trump’s family separation policy. Swift also strongly supports racial justice efforts, while Trump frequently magnifies racial divisions.
Trump Seeks Swift’s Endorsement Despite Clear Differences
Given Swift’s vocal stances on key issues like LGBTQ and reproductive rights, her endorsement of Trump appears highly unlikely. Yet the former president still sought to pressure her by accusing her of disloyalty. Trump often makes bogus claims that he alone is responsible for positive changes affecting an industry or group. He then believes that group owes him allegiance, even when the claims are untrue. With Swift, Trump hoped to leverage her fame and connection to Travis Kelce to gain publicity and sway voters. However, Swift’s values clearly conflict with Trump’s track record. She seems unlikely to endorse him regardless of his claims about the Music Modernization Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Donald Trump say Taylor Swift was being disloyal?
Trump claimed Swift was being disloyal for not endorsing him in 2024 after he signed the Music Modernization Act in 2018. Trump took credit for the act and said it made Swift “so much money”, implying she now owes him her political support.
What is the Music Modernization Act?
The Music Modernization Act is a 2018 law that reformed copyright laws and how artists, especially songwriters, are paid royalties when their music is streamed or sold digitally. It provides more structure around royalty payments.
What are Taylor Swift’s political views?
Swift has consistently advocated for liberal policies like LGBTQ and reproductive rights. She endorsed president Biden in 2020. Her views starkly contrast with Trump’s policies on issues like abortion access and transgender military service.
Why is Swift unlikely to endorse Trump?
Given Swift’s advocacy for progressive causes, her endorsement of Trump seems very improbable. Trump has pursued policies restricting LGBTQ and reproductive rights, while Swift strongly supports them. Their policy differences make an endorsement unlikely.
Did Trump play a major role in passing the Music Modernization Act?
No, Trump did not play a substantive role in crafting or passing the act, despite his claims. The act was a bipartisan effort led by congress. Trump signed it into law but was not a key figure in its development or passage.