Swifties slam Travis Kelce for hosting Brad Pitt on podcast despite abuse claims: 'Irresponsible choice'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Brad Pitt’s promotional campaign for his new racing film 'F1' hit an unexpected speed bump after an appearance on the Kelce brothers’ 'New Heights' podcast drew sharp criticism, especially from Taylor Swift fans.

Pitt’s laid-back chat with NFL stars Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, both connected to Swift through Travis’ relationship with the singer, was intended to spotlight his new movie. But for many fans, his presence on the show reignited unresolved tensions stemming from his contentious past with Angelina Jolie.

Brad Pitt’s podcast appearance with Kelce brothers sparks backlash from Taylor Swift fans

Appearing on the 'New Heights' podcast, Pitt reminisced about being starstruck early in his career and promoted his latest film. “When I first met Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, I was,” he admitted. “I got over it quickly, though.”

The casual 30-minute episode featured plenty of laughs between the Oscar winner and the Kelce brothers, who were clearly thrilled to host one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces.

But while the tone was lighthearted, Swift’s loyal fanbase quickly turned up the heat online.

Taylor Swift fans erupt as Kelce brothers face heat for Brad Pitt podcast appearance

Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Kelce brothers for featuring Pitt, whom Angelina Jolie accused of abusive behavior during their 2016 split. Fans accused the podcast of helping rebrand Pitt’s image without acknowledging or addressing the past allegations.

“The Kelce brothers inviting abuser Brad Pitt to their show lol. F*** Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce,” one post read bluntly.

Another fan added, “I don’t support Brad Pitt as a guest on New Heights. Me saying that is not an attack on Travis Kelce. I don’t have to, and nor should you, agree with every decision he makes.”

Several posts referenced the allegations that Pitt physically harmed Jolie and their children during a flight, pointing out that some of the children have since distanced themselves from him, going so far as to drop his surname. One user wrote, “Travis Kelce doing an interview with an abusive drunk and painting him in a positive light… his own children separated themselves from him but [he] can’t????."

Fans also called the move tone-deaf and dangerous, with one writing, “Both Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce should be called out for publicly promoting a perpetrator of domestic violence. Both men are degrading domestic violence victims — women and children.”

Some more fans joined the backlash online, criticizing the Kelce brothers for giving Pitt a platform despite his controversial past.

"Brad Pitt is a known abuser. He abused his wife and his children, all of whom have famously gone on record about the horrible abuse they endured from him. Platforming that man is a gross, irresponsible choice," one fan said.

"It's extra disgusting because they use Swifties to bait in a bigger audience so they can platform abusers (this isn't the first one)," one user wrote.

Swifties condemn Kelce brothers for hosting Brad Pitt despite past abuse claims

Though Pitt finalized his divorce from Jolie in 2024, the abuse allegations stemming from their 2016 private jet incident continue to shape public perception.

Neither Pitt nor the Kelce brothers have addressed the backlash. 

Despite the controversy, 'F1' performed well at the box office — but many Swifties argue that success doesn’t equal redemption.

For them, the trauma experienced by Jolie and her children, especially given Swift’s outspoken support for women’s rights, makes Pitt’s appearance on a podcast hosted by Swift’s close circle particularly hard to accept. 

Whether the 'New Heights' team will respond to the criticism remains to be seen, but for many Swift fans, the episode clearly missed the mark.