Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign faces an unexpected backlash that could cost him the election, and it stems from an unlikely figure—pop superstar Taylor Swift. The controversy centers on MAGA’s ongoing attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, with a bizarre and sexist comparison to Swift that backfired in spectacular fashion. This incident has left many swing voters—particularly women—alienated from Trump’s base, showcasing how the MAGA movement’s struggles with sexism and racism could have dire consequences for their political prospects.
At the center of the scandal is conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, a vocal defender of Trump. During an appearance on Fox News with host Jesse Watters, Shapiro aimed to diminish the enthusiasm around Harris by likening it to the fervor that surrounds Taylor Swift. “I’ve never seen this much manufactured enthusiasm for anyone outside of maybe Taylor Swift,” Shapiro quipped, intending it as an insult. Instead, this comparison ignited outrage and confusion, highlighting the deep-rooted misogyny in such remarks.
The issue here isn’t just Shapiro’s attempt to minimize Harris’s qualifications, but the broader narrative that’s emerged among MAGA supporters who are now attacking Harris not for her policies, but for her gender and ethnicity. Comments have circulated within GOP circles describing Harris as a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hire,” implying she was selected purely due to her identity, rather than her extensive experience as a district attorney, attorney general, senator, and now vice president. Such comments reveal the persistent racism and sexism that exist within certain elements of the MAGA movement.
House GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated with the racist and sexist undertones of these attacks, with some issuing warnings to their members to focus on Harris’s record rather than her identity. This pushback underscores the realization within the Republican Party that these personal, identity-based attacks are unpopular with mainstream voters. In a leaked meeting, leaders expressed concern that these comments could alienate key demographics, particularly suburban women—a group Trump already struggles to win over.
Shapiro’s remarks about Taylor Swift also stirred an unexpected reaction due to Swift’s immense popularity and political activism. The singer has built a reputation as a champion for progressive causes, particularly in encouraging voter turnout among young people. A recent example of her influence came in the form of a post on National Voter Registration Day, where Swift’s Instagram post led to 35,000 new voter sign-ups. Similarly, following Biden’s endorsement of Harris, Vote.org saw a surge of 38,500 new voters, most of whom were under the age of 34—a crucial demographic in the upcoming election.
What’s more, the ongoing sexist rhetoric is further exemplified by Republican Senator JD Vance’s comments targeting women who are childless, including Harris and Swift. Vance described such women as “childless cat ladies” with “no direct stake in America.” Such statements are tone-deaf at best and outright misogynistic at worst. Given the significant influence of figures like Taylor Swift, who resonate with millions of young female voters, these attacks seem politically unwise and are likely to backfire.
The GOP’s alienation of women—particularly single and suburban women—through these inflammatory remarks is a strategic blunder. Historically, Trump has struggled with this demographic, and these recent comments only serve to deepen that rift. Taylor Swift, in particular, is seen as a symbol of independence and empowerment to millions of young women, and attacking her indirectly alienates this significant voter base. By comparing Harris to Swift, MAGA inadvertently sparked a narrative that highlights their disconnect with the very voters they need to win over.
Republican leadership appears to be increasingly aware of the danger posed by these remarks. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged his colleagues to steer away from personal attacks based on race and gender, instead suggesting that their criticisms focus on policy differences. But the damage may already be done. GOP members, like Representatives Tim Burchett and Glenn Grothman, have already made inflammatory statements implying Harris was chosen for her ethnic background rather than her qualifications.
The broader issue here is not simply the attacks on Harris, but what they reveal about the MAGA movement’s persistent use of race and gender to rally their base. Rather than engaging in substantive political discourse, many within Trump’s camp have resorted to derogatory language that appeals to the worst instincts of their supporters. These tactics are increasingly out of step with mainstream American values, as polls indicate that the majority of voters are tired of divisive, identity-based politics.
As Trump heads toward the 2024 election, the fallout from this scandal could be significant. Women, particularly those in suburban areas and younger generations, have been a key battleground in recent elections. With MAGA’s continued alienation of these voters through comments like those from Shapiro and Vance, it’s becoming clear that the movement is doubling down on an exclusionary message that may cost them crucial votes.
The Trump campaign’s inability to navigate the complex realities of identity politics without resorting to offensive stereotypes is reflective of a larger problem within the MAGA world. Instead of focusing on Harris’s policy positions or her record in office, many Republicans are choosing to attack her personal identity, playing into harmful stereotypes that do more damage to their own party than to their opponents.
In the end, the Taylor Swift comparison, intended as an insult, may become a symbol of Trump’s unraveling in the 2024 race. If the MAGA movement continues to alienate key voter blocs with sexist and racist rhetoric, Trump’s path to re-election could become increasingly difficult. With influential figures like Taylor Swift and Kamala Harris inspiring voter turnout, particularly among young people and women, it’s clear that these personal attacks may backfire spectacularly, leaving the MAGA movement scrambling to recover from the damage.
