Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has taken aim at pop superstar Taylor Swift following her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Swift, who has been increasingly vocal about her political views in recent years, shared her support for Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in an Instagram post on Tuesday evening.
In her endorsement, Swift praised Harris as a “steady-handed, gifted leader” and expressed her belief that the country could accomplish more under Harris’s leadership, which she characterized as “calm” rather than “chaotic.” The singer concluded her post with the eyebrow-raising signature “Childless Cat Lady,” an apparent reference to comments made by Senator JD Vance of Ohio in 2021.
Vance, who is now Trump’s running mate, had previously criticized childless individuals in leadership positions, particularly targeting Democrats and “corporate oligarchs.” He described them as “childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made,” suggesting they aimed to make others equally unhappy.
Musk, known for his provocative social media presence, was quick to respond to Swift’s endorsement. On Wednesday morning, he posted on X: “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.” This tongue-in-cheek comment appeared to be a direct response to Swift’s self-proclaimed “Childless Cat Lady” status.
The exchange marks a shift in Musk’s public stance towards Swift. Previously, he had praised her musical achievements, notably commenting on the success of her album “The Tortured Poets Department” in April. At that time, Musk acknowledged the impressive nature of Swift’s accomplishments, despite not considering himself part of her target audience.
However, Swift’s endorsement of Harris puts her at odds with Musk, who has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 election. Musk’s support for Trump has been growing more vocal, with the tech mogul even expressing interest in potentially working for a future Trump administration.
In a separate post on X, Musk offered his thoughts on the recent vice presidential debate between Harris and Vance. While he conceded that Harris “exceeded most people’s expectations” during the debate, he maintained his preference for Trump. Musk stated, “That said, when it comes to getting things done, not just saying nice-sounding words, I strongly believe that Trump will do a far better job.”
This latest social media exchange highlights the increasingly intertwined nature of celebrity, politics, and social media in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. As high-profile figures like Swift and Musk use their platforms to voice political opinions, their statements often generate significant attention and debate among their vast follower bases.
The incident also underscores the ongoing polarization in American politics, with influential figures aligning themselves with different candidates and parties. As the election approaches, it’s likely that more celebrities and business leaders will weigh in on the political landscape, potentially swaying public opinion and shaping the national conversation around the presidential race.