In the last two weeks, the Trump administration has used Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, in three social media posts. The White House TikTok shared a patriotic slideshow set to The Fate of Ophelia, featuring the U.S. flag, President Trump, the vice-president, JD Vance, and the first and second ladies.
Team Trump’s campaign account posted two more videos: one using Father Figure with the caption “this empire belongs to @President Donald J Trump,” and another celebrating Melania Trump’s Patriot of the Year award with Opalite as the soundtrack.
The administration has faced legal threats for using music without permission before. Artists including The White Stripes, Isaac Hayes’ estate, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Olivia Rodrigo have publicly demanded that Trump stop using their work. Rodrigo’s song was recently removed from an official Instagram video promoting deportation efforts.
Swift has stayed publicly silent, despite her history of defending her music and image. She has previously sued theme parks, Etsy sellers, and YouTube creators for unauthorized use of her songs and has demanded retroactive songwriting credits from other artists.
Her silence is notable given her previous political engagement. Once politically shy, she embraced progressive values in 2018, endorsed Democratic candidates, supported Kamala Harris in 2024, and criticized the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
It’s unclear whether Swift’s political stance has shifted. She hasn’t commented on ICE raids or the Israel-Gaza conflict. Other celebrities who were once vocal, like Jennifer Lawrence, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry, have also largely stayed silent.
Swift may be avoiding controversy or potential backlash. After endorsing Harris, Trump said he “hates” her. While other artists like Rodrigo and Billie Eilish openly criticize the administration, Swift appears cautious.
Commercial interests may also influence her stance. The Life of a Showgirl is commercially successful, and a Disney docuseries on her Eras tour is upcoming. Her engagement to Travis Kelce has increased media attention, earning even Trump’s public congratulations.
Some themes on Showgirl hint at conservative-leaning material. Songs like Cancelled! defend those facing backlash, while Wi$h Li$t idealizes domestic life, suggesting a focus on family and personal security rather than public activism.
Swift’s platform remains powerful. Public opposition to the administration could influence large audiences, but Showgirl suggests she is more inward-focused. The album reflects self-interest and personal preoccupations, contrasting with the socially engaged artist of Miss Americana.
