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Donald Trump called into Fox & Friends before 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning (Sept. 11) to talk about Tuesday night’s (Sept. 10) debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, and while the hosts listened as he gave his spin on how he did in what may be the only time he faces off against his Democratic opponent, the most burning question was obvious.
What did Trump think of Taylor Swift‘s enthusiastic endorsement of Harris in the moments after the debate ended?
“Well, I actually like, uh… Mrs., uh [laughs] I actually like Mrs. Mahomes much better if you want to know the truth. She’s a big trump fan,” Trump said, in seeming reference to Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Current co-owner and former soccer player who was swept into Swift’s orbit last year when the singer began dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
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“I was not a Taylor swift fan, it was just a question of time. She couldn’t, uh, you couldn’t possibly endorse Biden. You look at Biden you couldn’t possibly endorse him,” Trump continued during the interview in which he described Brittany as “the wife of the great quarterback.”
“But she’s [Swift] a very liberal person, she seems to always endorse a democrat and she’ll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace,” Trump continued of the star who is about to wrap up her sold-out Eras Tour, which is on track to be one of the highest-grossing tours in music history. “But no, I like Brittany, I think Brittany’s great. Brittany got a lot of news last week she’s a big MAGA fan, that’s the one I like much better than Taylor Swift.”
Up until last week, the women were frequently seen passionately cheering on their significant others from luxury boxes across the country on game day. However, it appeared they were at a distance from each other during last Thursday’s Chiefs season kick-off, a week after Brittany Mahomes drew criticism for appearing to like a Trump Instagram post outlining his party’s 2024 platform.
Convicted felon Trump quickly thanked Mahomes for her apparent support, writing on his Truth Social platform, “I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country.”
Mahomes later responded to criticism of her like by saying in an Instagram Story, writing, “I mean honestly, To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood. There’s no reason your brain is fully developed and you hate to see others doing well.”
Despite what appeared to be a chill in the friendship, just days later, the two women were spotted hugging it out at the U.S. Open on Sunday, seemingly dousing rumors of a rift.
Trump, who insisted to the Fox & Friends crew that he decisively won the debate, calling it “my best debate, actually,” was widely criticized by media pundits for his often rambling, vague answers during the tense, 90-minute showdown in which he frequently talked over the moderators. While Harris repeatedly pushed back on what she described as Trump’s “same old tired playbook” of lies and obfuscations, many pundits zeroed in on the twice-impeached former President’s false claim that Haitian immigrants are “eating dogs.. eating the cats,” an internet rumor that that debate co-moderator David Muir swiftly fact-checked in real time.
The bizarre, debunked rumor had been amplified a day earlier by Trump’s VP pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who feline fan Swift took a playful swipe at in her Harris endorsement by signing off as a “childless cat lady.” The latter was a reference to one of Vance’s controversial 2021 claims that Democrats were promoting an “antifamily” agenda led by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.”
Before Tuesday night, Swift had not endorsed a candidate yet in the 2024 presidential election, despite backing the 2020 ticket of President Joe Biden and Harris after a career in which she largely avoided weighing in on politics until Trump entered the White House in 2016. In her statement, the singer said her endorsement was driven, in part, by a false AI-generated image purporting to show her endorsing Trump that the former one-term president shared on his social feeds last month.
“It really conjured up my fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” she wrote. “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
Elon Musk, one of the most powerful individuals to ever walk this earth, is no match for Taylor Swift. His words.
As the presidential debate reached its conclusion Tuesday night, Sept. 10, Swift reached for her device and shared a 300-word missive on social media.
It was a manna from heaven for the Democrats, as Swift confirmed that she was throwing her support behind VP Kamala Harris in the race to the White House, and urged others to do their research, and vote.
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“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” she wrote. “I’m voting for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
She continued, “I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate Tim Walz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”
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Swift didn’t waste the opportunity to land a blow on Donald Trump who, earlier, shared AI-generated images that appeared as though she was on the Trump train.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” she explains.
“It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”
The post was accompanied with a picture of Taylor cuddling her cat, Olivia Benson, and signed off as “Childless Cat Lady,” a jab at Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance and his professed views on Democrat voters.
Musk has a ticket on the Trump train. And, as social media was blowing up with TayTay’s unequivocal endorsement, he got a few words in.
“Fine Taylor,” Musk posted on X, the social platform he owns, “you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
Safeguarding cats is one thing, but promising to give “a child” to TayTay, 20 years his junior and dating NFL star Travis Kelce, is a bizarre take. Musk, who has a long-held ambition to populate Mars, has fathered 12 known children, and is currently engaged in a custody battle with former girlfriend Grimes over three of them.
Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 11, 2024
Musk wasn’t done there. The South Africa-born billionaire entrepreneur is apparently positioning himself and Swift and king-makers in the forthcoming federal election. Replying to a tweet from an X user, he wrote: “Oh my God, this has really become an Elon vs Taylor Swift election now.”
Most political pundits and market researchers reckon the race is too tight to call. The endorsement of Swift, who can mobilize millions of Swifties through her social channels, has been welcomed by Walz, who described her post as “eloquent.”
Taylor Swift caused a major stir on Sept. 10 when she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for President in a candid Instagram post after the first presidential debate.
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“I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of her and her cat, Benjamin Button.
In a jab to OP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, the “Cruel Summer” singer signed off with, “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”
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The post exploded, racking up 1 million “likes” in just 13 minutes, with Swift’s celebrity friends and fans jumping in to show support.
Among the first to engage was Charli XCX, a known Harris supporter, who famously tweeted earlier this year, “Kamala IS brat,” sparking one of Harris’ viral campaign moments. Speaking of the moment, the Brit previously said she’s “happy to help to prevent democracy from failing forever.”
Other notable figures quickly followed suit. Selena Gomez liked the post on Instagram, as did Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga, Andy Cohen, Mandy Moore, Jack Antonoff, DJ Zedd and Australian singer Gretta Ray.
Bette Midler, however, kept it simple, tweeting, “#TAYLORSWIFT endorses #KamalaHarris4President!!”
In what was among the more unsettling reactions, Elon Musk jumped into the conversation with a bizarre tweet: “Fine Taylor… you win… I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 11, 2024
Meanwhile, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell offered high praise for Swift’s move, calling it “the most important celebrity endorsement I’ve ever seen,” adding, “For someone who’s never been impressed by celebrity endorsements, this is perfect and powerful.”
While the multi-award-winning artist’s post has generated widespread support, not all reactions were enthusiastic. When asked about the endorsement, former President Donald Trump simply responded, “I have no idea.”
Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the conversation surrounding Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and its lack of nominations at the 2024 CMA Awards, offering a pragmatic take.
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While many have expressed disappointment over the “snub”, Goldberg believes it wasn’t a case of being overlooked. “A lot of people are surprised — I don’t know why — that it didn’t receive a single CMA Award nomination,” Goldberg stated on The View.
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“I don’t think she was snubbed, I think they just didn’t… it wasn’t for them.”
Goldberg’s perspective comes as part of a larger conversation sparked by the Cowboy Carter album, which marks Beyoncé’s foray into country music. Released in March, the album has performed remarkably well, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – her eighth record to do so – and staying on the Top Country Albums chart for an entire month.
Despite the album’s commercial success, the country music industry has been slow to embrace it fully, a sentiment echoed by some of Goldberg’s cohosts.
Sunny Hostin expressed her surprise at the lack of recognition for two tracks in particular: Beyoncé’s reimagining of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” and the original song “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
“I thought she would at least get nominated for those two,” Hostin said, referencing how even Parton herself had given Beyoncé her blessing to cover “Jolene,” even appearing on the track to introduce it.
“But, my mother always told me, ‘Find the audience that’s looking for you.’ This audience isn’t looking for her,” Hostin concluded.
Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in, pointing out that while industry insiders might not have been supportive, fans certainly were. “The Country Billboard charts do not lie,” she added. However, Goldberg reminded her that fans and voters don’t always see eye to eye.
Sara Haines rounded out the discussion by pointing out that awards aren’t necessarily the ultimate validation, remarking, “The best revenge is success.”
The conversation on The View follows comments made by Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, who has been vocal about his disappointment with the CMA Awards.
In an interview with TMZ, Knowles said, “There’s more white people in America and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievements. It’s still sometimes a white and Black thing.”
Knowles also referenced Beyoncé’s controversial performance with the Dixie Chicks at the 2016 CMAs, noting that the show never properly acknowledged her contribution.
Though the Cowboy Carter snub left many puzzled, the album’s chart performance speaks volumes. It dominated the Billboard 200 for two weeks and made Beyoncé the first Black woman to top the Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
The album boasts a diverse lineup of billed guest artists, including Tanner Adell, Beyoncé’s daughter Rumi Carter, Miley Cyrus, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Post Malone, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey and Brittney Spencer.
Among the many additional players on the album: 070 Shake, Jon Batiste, Ryan Beatty, Gary Clark Jr., The-Dream, Rhiannon Giddens, Paul McCartney, Pharrell, Robert Randolph, Nile Rodgers, Raphael Saadiq, Sara Watkins and Stevie Wonder.
Gov. Tim Walz has responded to Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as she runs for the office of President of the United States – and as a “fellow cat owner,” he’s happy. Walz, the Minnesota governor who is Harris’ VP pick on the Democratic ticket for the President of the United States, […]
Taylor Swift has made a surprising political move, taking to social media to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
In a post shared with her millions of followers, Swift expressed her admiration for Harris following today’s Presidential Debate, calling her a “steady-handed, gifted leader” and a “warrior” for causes she holds dear, such as LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive freedoms.
The “Fortnight” singer endorsement follows a moment of reflection, spurred by a false AI-generated image of her endorsing Donald Trump, which had appeared on his website.
Swift’s post reads:
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Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most.
As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.
Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.
I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.
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. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.
With love and hope,
Taylor SwiftChildless Cat Lady
The MTV VMAs are looking pretty good for 40. They have a red-hot host, Megan Thee Stallion; a highly credible show-opener, Eminem; and a cast of performers that includes two of the buzziest artists of the year, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
The 2024 VMAs are set to air live on Wednesday (Sept. 11) at 8 p.m. ET/PT from New York’s UBS Arena. Katy Perry, who won video of the year for “Firework” in 2011 and hosted the show in 2017, is set to receive the Video Vanguard Award and also perform a hit medley. (She’s the first person in VMA history to host, win video of the year and get the Vanguard – the MTV trifecta.)
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Presenters include Cyndi Lauper, who won a Moon Man for best female video at the very first VMAs on Sept. 14, 1984. (The show is now more woke: The award is now referred to as a Moon Person all categories are gender-neutral.) Carson Daly is also set to present. Daly hosted MTV’s popular TRL from 1998 to 2003, back when the channel still played music videos instead of endless reruns of Ridiculousness and Catfish.
Eminem will open the show just weeks after his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), became his 11th album to enter the Billboard 200 at No. 1. Just this week, his 2005 hits compilation Curtain Call: The Hits became the first hip-hop album ever to log 700 weeks on the Billboard 200.
Eminem landed eight nominations this year. His smash “Houdini,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, is up for six awards, including video of the year and song of the summer. In addition, Eminem is nominated for artist of the year and VMAs most iconic performance for his 2000 performance (joined by 100+ Eminem lookalikes) of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am.”
If Eminem wins in just one of the eight categories, he will break out of a tie with Peter Gabriel for the most wins by a male artist in the show’s history (13).
Taylor Swift leads all artists with 12 nods this year. If she wins five or more, she’ll pull ahead of Beyoncé as the artist with the most VMAs in history. Bey currently has 27, followed by Swift (23), Madonna (20) and Lady Gaga (18).
Teddy Swims and Jessie Murph are set to make their VMA debuts by performing on the Extended Play Stage. Le Sserafim will make their U.S. award show debut by performing on the VMAs pre-show.
General fan voting closed Friday (Sept. 6) on MTV’s website. Voting for best new artist remains active through the show.
With the addition of social categories, Swift still leads in terms of most nominations (12), followed by Post Malone (11), Eminem (eight), Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter + SZA (seven each); Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, GloRilla, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo + Teddy Swims (four each).
Swift and Malone are not scheduled to perform, nor are such other heavily-nominated artists as Grande, SZA, Boone and Eilish.
The 2024 VMAs will air live on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT across MTV’s global footprint, including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and Univision.
Hosted by Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney, the 90-minute live VMAs pre-show special airs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, CMT and Logo.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Here are all the performers and presenters for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Performers
Anitta (feat. Fat Joe, DJ Khaled + Tiago PZK)
Benson Boone
Camila Cabello
Chappell Roan
Eminem
GloRilla
Halsey
Jessie Murph (Extended Play stage)
KAROL G
Katy Perry (Video Vanguard Award)
Le Sserafim (pre-show)
Lenny Kravitz
LISA
LL COOL J
Megan Thee Stallion (also host)
Rauw Alejandro
Sabrina Carpenter
Shawn Mendes
Teddy Swims (Extended Play stage)
Presenters
Addison Rae
Alessandra Ambrosio
Amelia Dimoldenberg
Big Sean
Busta Rhymes
Cyndi Lauper
Damiano David (Måneskin)
DANNA
DJ Khaled
Fat Joe
Flavor Flav
French Montana
Halle Bailey
Jordan Chiles
Lil Nas X
Miranda Lambert
Naomi Scott
Paris Hilton
Suki Waterhouse
Thalía
Tinashe
Special guest appearances have long been prevalent when it comes to the Super Bowl halftime show. So when Kendrick Lamar was announced as the Super Bowl LIX headliner over the weekend, fans started speculating what might be on the Compton MC’s potential setlist and what guests might join him. Lamar is gearing up to hit […]
On Tuesday (Sept. 10), The Revels Group, alongside the Black Music Action Coalition, Amazon Music and Live Nation, announced plans for the third annual BLACK: Future. Now. Brunch 2024 in Los Angeles.
The celebratory brunch is set to go down Sunday (Sept. 15) and serve as a lead into BMAC Gala Week (starting Sept. 19). Decorated music executives and artists across the industry will be honored during the ceremony, including Jhené Aiko, Cash Cobain and Rachelle Jean-Louis.
Following her successful North American run on the Magic Hour Tour, Aiko will receive the “Brilliant Beyond” Creative Artistry Award. The burgeoning Cash Cobain is slated to take home the “Future Phenom Now” Award while Blake Brown-Gakal will accept the “L(Eagle) Eye” Attorney of the Year Award.
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On the heels of winning Billboard‘s 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Executive of the Year, Victoria Monet’s manager and Tell Your Friends co-founder Rachelle Jean-Louis will collect more hardware when she’s honored with the “Executive of the Year Impact” award this weekend.
“We’re super excited to be kicking off BMAC week once by celebrating the future and now of Black excellence,” said The Revels Group CEO Jamil Davis. “When I started the BFN and the Brunch my mission was to bring together a diverse room to highlight the creatives, executives and thought leaders of tomorrow that are having breakout years, or typically don’t get as much shine.”
Davis continued: “It’s beautiful and has grown each year. I’m ready to have an incredible time! I’m thrilled to honor our 2024 class of BFN awardees, including my dear friend, theincomparable, Jhené Aiko.”
Elliot Grainge’s 10k Projects and Spirit Music Group have also joined the Black: Future. Now. Brunch as partners.
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino added of the event: “I admire Jamil’s ability to bring such an eclectic group of people together, and The Revels Group’s continued mission to celebrate and empower the next generation of artists, creators, and executives. It will be a great time.”
Past BLACK: Future. Now. honorees include Lil Bibby, Tunde Balogun, Brandra Rigo, Gordon Dillard, Ebonie Ward, Sydney Lopes and more.
Chester Bennington‘s son is currently at odds with some of Linkin Park‘s fanbase, with the 28-year-old recently alleging that people have been “cruel, unusual and aggressive” to him following his criticism of the band’s reunion.
In a slew of videos posted to Instagram Stories on Monday (Sept. 9), Jaime opened up about wanting to attend Linkin Park’s fast-approaching comeback show in Los Angeles, in spite of his qualms with the group’s new vocalist Emily Armstrong. However, he claims his late father’s former bandmates didn’t offer him a ticket — and even if they had, he wouldn’t feel safe in the crowd.
“I haven’t heard anything back from the band themselves, which is not unexpected,” Jaime says in the clips. “They didn’t come to me with this announcement, they didn’t ask me how I felt.”
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“There are a lot of people who do not like me,” he continued. “There are a lot of people saying some real awful sh– right now to me. To be honest, I don’t think I’d feel safe going to the show under general admission … I don’t know who would take it upon themselves to respond to me in an aggressive manner. The audience themselves could actually be unsafe for me.”
Jaime’s comments come shortly after he lobbed criticism at Linkin Park for tapping Armstrong as the band’s new co-vocalist, accusing Mike Shinoda of “quietly erasing my father’s life and legacy in real time.”
“You betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself,” he added at the time, slamming Armstrong’s past connection to Scientology and support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson. “We trusted you to be the bigger, better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.”
In response to the backlash, the Dead Sara co-founder issued a statement on Sept. 6 distancing herself from the That ’70s Show star. “Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance and went to one early hearing as an observer,” she said. “Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I have never spoken with him since. To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”
All of the commotion follows the band’s announcement that Linkin Park would be returning in 2024 after a seven-year hiatus sparked by the death of Chester in 2017. In addition to the lineup changes, the rockers will be releasing a new album, From Zero, on Nov. 15, and embarking on a massive tour starting with six arena shows kicking off Wednesday (Sept. 11) at the Kia Forum.
But much like Linkin Park’s fanbase, Jaime has conflicted feelings about the band’s new direction. “I want to go [to the concert],” he said on his Story. “There are reasons that I might not be allowed into the venue, which I can’t talk about right now, but unless I’m told explicitly, ‘You can’t go for this reason,’ I do want to go.”
“So many of these Linkin Park fans who will be attending have been cruel, unusual and aggressive,” he added. “You’re telling me to kill myself, you’re telling me that I’m awful, you’re telling me that my father doesn’t appreciate me … What are you talking about? You didn’t give a f–k when he died. If you did, you would understand what the problem is. You would understand why this is all wrong.”