In a time of growing climate danger and rising authoritarianism, it may seem like journalistic malpractice to spill what little journalistic ink on the romance between NFL star Travis Kelce and superstar Taylor Swift. But conspiracy theorizing about the power couple, just before Kelce plays in the Super Bowl, could only come up in a time like ours, and it says a lot about the decline in trust and verifiable truth in this political moment.
Make no mistake: This is not a both-sides-have-it issue. Speculation that Kelce and Swift are the most visible part of a plot to sabotage former President Trump's campaign is widespread only on the right. It's happening in its own sealed media echo chamber, coming to the fore only after it has taken root, spread, and fomented outrage among enough people for everyone else to finally take notice.
Trust me: I'd rather spend my time talking about climate policy or California's housing shortage. But there are nine months until an election (which today counts as short), a Super Bowl in a week and another strange conspiracy theory that shows us an unflattering mirror. So, let's talk about the reflection we see.
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To the editor: The conspiracy theorized about the Taylor Swift “plot” is a repeat of the successful operation against John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.
Back then, a group of Vietnam veterans launched a vicious and well-organized attack on Kerry's claim that he had served on a “Swift ship” during the war.
Influential MAGA mouths, lacking in facts but not in wild imagination, have launched a “fast ship” into the current of the Internet and are now watching how their work enters unknown crevices.
Mark Steinberg, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Swift is the sweet girl next door from Tennessee who writes catchy pop songs. Travis Kelce is the lovable, blue-collar, tough football player from Ohio. This should be the quintessential Republican couple.
Instead, Swift supports gay rights and women's reproductive rights. She is a self-made billionaire who champions Democratic causes.
Meanwhile, Kelce is a supporter of Black Lives Matter. She is featured prominently in ads promoting COVID-19 shots.
That's why Republicans hate this couple: they oppose everything Republicans stand for and defend everything Republicans stand for.
Nick Kobliska, Santa Clarita
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To the editor: What a great way to start the day with giggles, giggles, giggles reading Lorraine Ali's column about the alleged nefarious plot with secret agents Swift, Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL and others to, dare I say, prevent a certain former president wins another term.
I'm sure some will criticize the placement on the cover. I'm glad it was there because I probably would have missed it.
Well-written humor is a gift, especially when it tells you how sad some things have become in our society.
Peggy Ziegler, Pomona
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To the editor: I hear conservatives are furious about Swift's past criticism of Trump and his successful efforts to register young people to vote, and now, especially, about Democrats' alleged plans to use her during the Super Bowl to endorse President Biden for re-election (Or something like that).
How do you respond to such absolute madness? Some of us have really broken through the security barriers.
Swift is a phenomenally talented singer and songwriter with a devoted fan base. But I can't see her as a political pawn, unless she's suddenly become as unhinged as these conspiracy theorists.
Despite her past political statements, Swift is an artist at heart. All I can say is this: I think it would be unwise for her to divide her life between her art and her national politics. The first is beautiful, but the second can become very ugly and dangerous.
I really wish celebrities would stick to what they do best and not try to convince us of anything. I can think for myself.
Arthur Saginian, Santa Clarita
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To the editor: The MAGA world's fever dream about a psy-op involving Swift, the NFL, and Biden's re-election effort certainly seems rooted in a kind of collective paranoia. But being paranoid doesn't mean you're not being targeted.
The Democratic National Committee and the Biden campaign should enlist Swift and Beyoncé to appear together in an ad endorsing Biden (they both endorsed him individually in 2020) while performing some of their more socially conscious songs.
This would spur millions of his devoted fans to vote Democratic, thus causing the heads of Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters to explode.
Noel Johnson, Glendale
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To the editor: Certainly psychological manipulation. It's hard to understand with a functioning brain this strange idea of a conspiracy between Swift and the NFL.
Judging by the people comedian Jordan Klepper interviews on his visits to Trump rallies, there are many Americans who are easily psychologically manipulated.
As my aunt once said about my uncle who had Alzheimer's and to whom she had been married for 70 years: “If he weren't so funny, he would be sad.”
Reggie Kenner, Manhattan Beach
