During a recent CNN segment on “King Charles” hosted by Charles Barkley, former sportscaster Bob Costas discussed public animosity toward Taylor Swift, attributing it to her political endorsement of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign.
Costas posited that Swift’s critics are influenced by their political leanings, specifically suggesting that if Swift had openly supported former President Trump, she would receive less flak. “I can guarantee you all this news would not be happening if she was wearing a MAGA hat. They would love it,” he stated.
However, there’s an argument to be made that Swift would face more intense criticism were she to align with conservative politics. Reflecting on the past, Tom Brady attracted negative press for simply having a Trump hat in his locker in 2015, with USA Today highlighting his race as a factor in the perception of his political stance.
No on-set challenge to Costas’ assertions occurred during the segment. Instead, Charles Barkley chimed in with a strong message to those criticizing Swift for purportedly affecting football: “I’m gonna look right in that camera,” he said. “If you’re screaming at Taylor Swift saying she ruined [football], you’re just a loser or a jackass. You can be A or B.”
This oversimplifies the situation, as not all those critical of Swift’s involvement in football-related matters fit the mold of “losers and jackasses.” Critics seem to fall into three camps: those earnestly displeased with her for non-political reasons, the “jokesters” who tease playfully about her association with players from the Kansas City Chiefs, and individuals who simply want the focus to be on the game, uninterested in off-field romance stories.