Trump reverses course on Taylor Swift after her engagement to Travis Kelce: ‘She’s terrific’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump surprised many on Tuesday, August 26, by offering kind words to pop superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce following their engagement announcement.

The couple confirmed the news through a joint Instagram post.

Donald Trump offers warm wishes to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” the caption read.

When asked about the engagement during a cabinet meeting, Trump responded with unusually positive remarks. “I wish them a lot of luck. I think he’s a great guy. I think that she’s a terrific person,” he said. His comments marked a sharp departure from the combative tone he has often used when referring to Swift in the past.

Swift and Kelce, both 35, are officially engaged, announcing the news on Instagram with photos of his heartfelt proposal and the one-of-a-kind ring he co-designed.

The couple recently reflected on their relationship during an episode of Kelce's 'New Heights' podcast. Swift revealed that it was Kelce’s “wild, romantic gesture” — his attempt to meet her backstage on the Eras Tour and later admitting to the world how “butt hurt” he was when it didn’t happen that ultimately won her over.

“I was like, ‘If this guy’s not crazy — which is a big if — but if he’s not crazy, then this is basically every song I’ve ever written since I was a teenager come to life,’” Swift said.

Kelce, laughing, added that he actually used the Eras Tour setlist as a guide to win her heart. “I was sitting there at the show listening to every single one of those songs being like, ‘I know exactly what she wants me to do’... I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

Swift agreed with a smile: “It was wild, but it worked. I’m glad it worked.”

The president’s cordial statement stood in contrast to his long history of disparaging the 14-time Grammy winner, who has been outspoken about her political views and endorsed Democrats in the 2024 race. Trump has frequently mocked Swift both at campaign rallies and on his Truth Social platform.

Donald Trump’s years-long record of ‘hate’ toward Taylor Swift

Earlier this month, Trump applauded actress Sydney Sweeney for her American Eagle Jeans campaign, contrasting it with what he called “woke advertisements,” which he labeled a complete “disaster.”

In an extended post, he lashed out at Taylor Swift, writing: “Just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift. Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can’t stand her (HATE!). She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT.”

He went on, “The tide has seriously turned — Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

In May, during his overseas trip to the Middle East, Trump reignited his feud by claiming: “Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’”

Trump erupted at pop star Taylor Swift after she endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris for president, firing off a furious post that read, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”

Donald Trump took swipe at Taylor Swift during Super Bowl

President Trump also targeted Taylor Swift during the Super Bowl in February, where he became the first sitting president to attend the game. Sharing a video clip online, Trump contrasted the cheering crowds that greeted him with jeers directed at Swift when she appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron.

He captioned: “Trump gets massive cheers at the Super Bowl while Taylor Swift gets booed – The world is healing!”

In a follow-up jab, Trump wrote, “The only one that had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift. She got BOOED out of the Stadium. MAGA is very unforgiving!” he posted.

Swift, who attended the game to support Kelce, was spotted in a suite with friends Ice Spice, Ashley Avignone, and the Haim sisters. Videos circulating on social media showed her looking visibly unsettled as the Chiefs trailed the Philadelphia Eagles.