Hillary Clinton Slams Elon Musk Over Comment Toward Taylor Swift
Pop superstar Taylor Swift publicly voiced her support for Kamala Harris in a recent Instagram post, aligning herself with the Harris-Walz presidential ticket.
In under two hours, Swift’s endorsement sparked a controversial response from Elon Musk who, in a bizarre social media post, offered to give Swift a child, drawing widespread criticism, including from Hillary Clinton, who suggested that the tech billionaire had implied plans to sexually assault the singer, as the Daily Mail reports.
Musk’s comment seemed to reference Swift's self-referential joke about being childless and also linked to his previous statements on underpopulation.
Clinton Calls Musk's Comment Misogynistic
Clinton condemned Musk’s comment, stating that she interpreted his offer to give Swift a child as a "kind of another way of saying rape." Clinton linked Musk’s statement to broader issues of misogyny among influential men, especially in the technology and political spheres.
"I can’t understand why he says what he says," Clinton remarked, highlighting her concerns about the way prominent figures like Musk and Trump treat women in public discourse. She continued, "Misogyny is such a part of their worldview, and they gravitate toward toughness and brutality."
Swift’s endorsement of Harris had already received significant attention from both supporters and critics, including a fiery reaction from Donald Trump, who publicly declared his dislike for the pop star.
Trump's Reaction to Swift's Endorsement
Former President Donald Trump did not hold back his disdain for Swift's political involvement. Following her endorsement of Harris, Trump posted on Truth Social, simply stating, "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!" His blunt response was a sharp departure from his initial reaction, where he claimed ignorance of Swift’s endorsement shortly after the debate, saying, "I have no idea."
Swift's decision to endorse Harris came after she became aware of an AI-generated video falsely showing her endorsing Trump. This misinformation prompted Swift to clarify her political stance, announcing her support for Harris and encouraging her followers to be mindful of the sources they trust online.
Swift Mobilizes Her Followers
In her post endorsing Harris, Swift also encouraged her fans to research the issues and register to vote. She provided a link to vote.gov, urging her audience to take part in the democratic process. Around 340,000 people clicked on the voting link from her Instagram story, though this represented a small fraction of her 284 million followers.
Swift’s message was clear in that she urged her followers to make informed decisions, saying, "I've done my research, and I've made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make."
While her endorsement generated substantial public interest, data indicated that it had a minimal effect on polling numbers, suggesting that Swift’s influence may not have swayed the race as significantly as some expected.
Walz Responds to Swift's Endorsement
Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, expressed his gratitude for Swift’s endorsement. In a live interview, Walz praised Swift for her courage and called on her fanbase to get involved with the Harris campaign.
"That's the type of courage we need in America," Walz said, adding, "I'm incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift. I say that as a fellow cat owner." His lighthearted comment drew attention to Swift's "Childless Cat Lady" sign-off, a playful jab at previous remarks from vice-presidential hopeful JD Vance.
Swift Takes a Stand Against Misinformation
Swift’s endorsement was also driven by concerns over the spread of misinformation. In her statement, she explained that an AI-generated video falsely showing her endorsing Trump was posted, leading her to publicly declare her support for Harris. Swift emphasized the dangers of AI in spreading false information and the importance of transparency.
"It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation," Swift said. She urged her followers to stay informed and combat misinformation with the truth.
Swift's Influence on the Election
Despite the high-profile endorsements and backlash from prominent figures like Trump and Musk, polling data indicated that Swift's political involvement had little effect on the overall state of the race. While her followers engaged with the voting information she provided, it did not translate into significant shifts in the polls for the Harris-Walz ticket.
Nevertheless, Swift remained resolute in her stance, urging her fans to take action and vote based on their own research and values.
Conclusion: Swift Sparks Political Conversations
Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris ignited a political firestorm, drawing reactions from Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton.
Musk’s controversial comment toward Swift prompted swift condemnation from Clinton, who characterized it as misogynistic and threatening. Trump's vitriolic response added to the debate, though Swift's endorsement appeared to have minimal impact on polling numbers.
Despite this, Swift continued to rally her fanbase to research, register, and vote, stressing the importance of informed civic engagement.