'A new low for a desperate man': Internet enraged as Minnesota Rep Dean Phillips fundraises off Taylor Swift's new album announcement

WASHINGTON, DC: When Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips sent out a fundraising email attempting to capitalize on Taylor Swift’s new album announcement, he likely expected Swifties to shower him with donations. Instead, the internet swiftly slammed him and saw the move as a desperate and tone-deaf ploy to invoke the Grammy winner's name without her consent.

Within minutes of Swift revealing her new album title on Sunday night, Phillips’ struggling presidential campaign blasted supporters, pleading for $13 donations while clumsily name-dropping the Grammy winner's song titles, according to The Hill.

Dean Phillips uses Taylor Swift's album announcement to fundraise for White House bid

Dean Phillips landed himself in hot water this week after sending out a fundraising email attempt that crassly used Swift's name without permission.

Mere minutes after the pop superstar announced the April 19 release date of her new album at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, February 4, Phillips’ struggling presidential campaign blasted supporters asking for $13 donations to match Swift’s 13 career Grammy wins.

The subject line, "The Tortured Poets Department," echoed the mysterious name of Swift’s forthcoming album that she revealed on stage. After brief congratulations on her award, the email dove right into asking for money for Phillips’ White House bid. "That announcement, wow," it read, before clarifying Swift had not actually endorsed Phillips.

The email attempt was filled with ham-fisted references to Swift’s song titles as it tried to draw clumsy comparisons between the singer and Phillips’ credentials.

"Dean is as fearless in his dedication to this nation as Taylor is in her music," read one section.

"It’s time to shake it off and energize voters for the 2024 election. Dean will work to put the bad blood between members of Congress behind us," it continued.

The underdog presidential contender extended congratulations to President Joe Biden on Saturday, February 3, for securing victory in the Democratic primary in South Carolina. According to Decision Desk HQ, Biden achieved an impressive over 96 percent of the votes.

Internet enraged as Dean Phillips fundraiser off Taylor Swift's new album announcement

The news of Phillips' fundraising off Swift's album prompted harsh reactions from internet users, many of whom were quick to criticize the move.

One X user questioned Phillips's relevance, bluntly asking, "What's the point of him?" Another derided the fundraising effort, stating firmly, "That's a NO... Dean Phillips can pay for his own hand lotion."

A third user expressed frustration, declaring, "Taylor is a distraction and nonentity in the policies of our government. STOP."

Another user echoed the sentiment of unawareness about Phillips, simply stating, "Who?…"

A fifth user voiced concern about the congressman's use of Swift's name without approval, stating, "I hope Taylor denounces Dean Phillips' crass/deceitful use of her name, w/o getting her endorsement or at least okay first. This would actually make me angry. But maybe that's just me?"

Another user condemned Phillips's tactic, asserting, "Dean Phillips fundraiser using @taylorswift13's name. A new low for a desperate man."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.