Swifties rejoice as Taylor Swift's father Scott won't be charged for assaulting 'obnoxious' photographer

The 71-year-old father of the 14-times Grammy-winning superstar was accused by photographer Ben McDonald of punching him in the face on February 27
PUBLISHED MAR 26, 2024
Taylor Swift's father walks free of charges in the photographer assault allegation (Getty Images)
Taylor Swift's father walks free of charges in the photographer assault allegation (Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Scott Swift, who has been a solid support to Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour concerts, walked away scott free after an Australian photographer accused him of punching him in the face following the pop diva’s final show in Sydney.

The 71-year-old father of the 14-times Grammy-winning superstar was accused by photographer Ben McDonald, 51, of punching him in the face on February 27.

Scott Kingsley Swift (L) and his daughter, honoree Taylor Swift, attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
Scott Kingsley Swift (L) and Taylor Swift (Getty Images)

Photographer accuses Scott Swift of punching him

Following the ‘Lover’ singer’s last Sydney show, she and her father traveled from Homebush to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay on a luxury yacht. The photographer who accused Scott of the punch was waiting to click pictures of the pop star.

McDonald accused Taylor’s father of punching him in his face as he was trying to capture photographs of the ‘Lavender Haze’ singer. 

Though he did not require any medical attention, McDonald said he had “very sore chops” at the side of his face for days after the incident.

North Shore Police Command immediately launched an investigation into the matter, after the completion of which, the NSW Police revealed to Daily Mail that no further action was taken on the incident.

Following the incident, a spokesperson for the songstress shared with Daily Mail Australia that the photographers were being “aggressive,” before adding, “Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”

aylor Swift and her Dad Scott K. Swift at the Taping of CMT
Taylor Swift and her Dad Scott K. Swift (Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage for CMT)

However, McDonald refuted the statement saying there was just only one female - and that was Taylor Swift.

Calling the spokesperson’s statement as “utter rubbish,” McDonald, who is also the chief executive of Matrix Media Group, said, “This is the sort of bulls**t I might expect.”

He continued, “Which female was that? The only one there was Taylor.”

Describing the alleged assault, he said, “In 23 years of taking pictures, I have never seen anything like it,” before explaining, “She got off the boat, she walked towards security guards who were shoving umbrellas in our faces.”

The footage from the incident showed the father-and-daughter duo walking up from the wharf when the security guards were blocking the view with large umbrellas. 

As the photographer started shooting, a security guard told him not to touch the umbrella. Scott was also seen showing the photographers the middle finger as he was walking up the wharf.

McDonald claimed the moment leading to the altercation were actually captured on camera and it did not show the photographers acting aggressively.

Meanwhile, during the Australia leg of the Eras Tour, Scott Swift was seen treating the pop star's fans with sandwiches in Sydney.

The same photographer previously received a restraining order from Nicole Kidman as well, reported Page Six.

Internet reacts to Scott Swift walking away without charges

As Scott Swift walked away without any charge, the readers commented online to support the 'Cruel Summer' singer's father.

One of the fans said, "That was an obvious outcome."

Someone else added, "Why is there always a drama when celebs come here. Pink being denied entry, paparazzi getting in the way…"

Another Swiftie slammed the photographer saying, "No sympathy for the photographer, it's the same grub that stalked Nicole kidman and she had to get a restraining order."

"Good, these people are so obnoxious. If you’re sufficiently annoying that an old man punches you in the face, you deserved it," chimed in another.

Another fan too mentioned Nicole Kidman getting a restraining order against the same photographer, saying, "Nicole kidman has a restraining order against this photog Taylor and her family should do the same What a creep."

"The rogue photographer is lucky that it wasn't Travis Kelce with Taylor Swift that day. His punches last longer," added another.

"This photographer had an avo against him from Nicole Kidman, he is well known to try and get a reaction off celebrities," said another social media user.

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.

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