Fact Check: Did Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding cause closure of major roads, costing millions?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Following the much-awaited wedding of singer Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that the wedding had caused the closure of major roads in the city, costing millions of dollars for New Yorkers and sparking debates. Let us analyze and fact-check the viral claim.
Claim: Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding caused major road closures
According to a viral post that surfaced on Facebook, the streets of Midtown Manhattan are at a standstill as cops close down most major roads for Taylor Swift's wedding.
"This is exactly what they promised wouldn't happen," Midtown Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jeb Narroo allegedly said, "If you're anywhere in the red circle on the map, you're not going anywhere for the next six to eight hours."
The post claims that Swift's team isn't taking requests for comment but instead released a statement stating, "It's unfortunate that the city is so upset, but we have a valid permit, and we pledge to donate generously to local programs."
The post ended by stating, “They'll cost New Yorkers millions tonight."
Fact Check: The claim originated from parody account
Although the streets around the arena were closed as thousands of fans, photographers, and onlookers gathered, hoping to see the couple and their celebrity guests, the claim that major roads were closed is false.
There are no reports about the streets of Midtown Manhattan being at a standstill. There is also no evidence of a person named Jeb Narroo making the above-mentioned statement.
A search on Google for the claim and the statement yielded no credible reports by prominent news and entertainment media platforms that support the claim, which, if true, would have been widely covered, triggering backlash.
Moreover, the Facebook page that posted the claim is a parody account that describes itself in the bio as ‘Nothing on this page is real.’
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot at Madison Square Garden
After months of speculation and nonstop online chatter, the couple said "I do" on July 3 in an intimate ceremony at Madison Square Garden.
The venue was put under strict security for the wedding, turning the venue into a well-guarded private space.
Reports indicated that about 1,000 guests attended the celebration, making it one of the largest celebrity weddings in recent years.
The festivities are expected to continue through the July 4 weekend, with police keeping security around the venue.
