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Taylor Swift breaks political silence in favour of Democrats

1 hour ago

GETTY IMAGES

Taylor Swift has spoken out politically for the first time, publicly endorsing two
Democrats for the upcoming US mid-term elections.

The 28-year-old says events in "the past two years" have meant she's no longer reluctant to
share her views.

The singer wrote on Instagram: "I always will cast my vote based on which candidate will
protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve."

The mid-term elections are 6 November.

Taylor, who in June gave a speech in Chicago offering "love and respect" to LGBT people
who haven't yet come out, will be voting in historically Republican state Tennessee.

"I believe in the fight for LGBT rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual
orientation or gender is wrong," she published to her 112m followers.

"I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of colour is
terrifying, sickening and prevalent."

GETTY IMAGES

What are the US mid-terms?

Taylor spoke out against the Republican candidate who is currently elected in her home state.

"As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot
support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me," she
wrote.

"She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorisation of the
Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence,
stalking, and date rape."

Tennessee usually sides with President Donald Trump's Republican party, but recent polls
suggest the result there could be close.

The reaction
The Instagram post has had more than a million likes, while users on Twitter used Taylor's
letter as an opportunity to speak on one of her historical foes - Ye (formerly known as
Kanye) West.

They remembered Ye's pledge to run for president.

pic of the 2024 presidential debate stage

pic.twitter.com/MGuzsyN70L
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) October 8, 2018
 Report

Expressed confusion at the way the two artists' political opinions have developed.

If you had told me two years ago Kanye would be running around
in a MAGA hat while Taylor Swift was endorsing democratic
candidates, I would have smacked you to the ground and stolen
your wallet for wasting my time.
— KB (@KaraRBrown) October 8, 2018

Report

And threw back to that infamous moment at the 2009 MTV VMAs.

Taylor Swift just took the mic from Kanye.

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 8, 2018

Report

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