NFL legend Brett Favre has subtly criticized Taylor Swift after the pop star endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential election last week.
The former Green Bay Packers quarterback also praised Patrick Mahomes after the Kansas City Chiefs star chose not to disclose his political leanings.
Immediately after last week’s TV debate between Trump and Harris, Swift took to Instagram to let her 284 million followers know that she planned to vote for Harris.
The megastar, who is in a relationship with Mahomes’ teammate Travis Kelce, said she voted for the vice president “because she fights for rights and causes that I think need a warrior to defend them.”
That came after fellow Chiefs WAG Brittany Mahomes announced her support for Donald Trump in the election. For the second straight game, Swift was not seated next to Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs’ win over the Bengals on Sunday.
NFL legend Brett Favre has criticized Taylor Swift for her support of Kamala Harris
Favre – who is a Trump supporter – said “it won’t be good” if voters are “influenced by their favorite pop artist”
Swift’s decision to endorse Harris drew widespread criticism from Republicans and other figures, including Favre.
The Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP, who endorsed Trump in 2020, responded to a video of Mahomes remaining neutral on politics by taking a shot at Swift.
He posted on X: ‘Good take from Mahomes. I see a lot of celebrities trying to influence their audience instead of letting people think for themselves.
‘If it is not clear what the best choice is for them and they are easily influenced by their favorite pop artist, then that is not good.’
Many were quick to criticize Favre’s hypocrisy after he used his platform to support Trump in 2020.
In October 2020, he wrote on X: “My vote goes to what makes this country great: freedom of speech and religion, the Second Amendment, hardworking taxpaying citizens, police and military.
‘In this election we have freedom of choice, which everyone should respect. For me and these principles, my vote is for [Donald Trump].
Favre was criticized for saying he found it “hard to believe” that Derek Chauvin planned to kill George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. He also criticized NFL players for distracting from football by kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism.
Many were quick to criticize Favre’s hypocrisy after he endorsed Donald Trump in 2020
After Swift endorsed Harris, Trump responded, saying he “hates” her. In an all-caps message on his Truth Social Media account, Trump wrote, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”
Trump, who has 7.71 million followers on Truth Social, initially dismissed Swift’s endorsement of Harris, saying he was “not a Taylor fan.”
But with polls showing Harris with a significant lead over Trump in the presidential election expected to be close on Nov. 5, he is ramping up his rhetoric against one of the most successful entertainers in history.
Following Trump’s post, Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate for vice president, wrote on X: “Swifties: With your help, we’re going to defeat the shortest man who ever lived.”
One of Swift’s songs is titled “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.”
Trump’s anger at Swift prompted a flood of supporters to chant “I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT” at X, while others defended Trump by attacking the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden.
After endorsing Democratic candidates in the 2018 election, Trump responded to questions from reporters at the White House, saying, “Let’s say I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now.”
Swift took to Instagram and told her 284 million followers that she planned to vote for Harris
In an all-caps message on his Truth Social Media account, Trump wrote, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court on Monday declined to revive a defamation lawsuit Favre filed against Shannon Sharpe.
Favre filed the lawsuit over comments Sharpe made on a Fox Sports program in 2022 amid a growing scandal involving millions of dollars in Mississippi welfare payments to the rich and powerful.
Shad White, Mississippi’s auditor, said Favre improperly received $1.1 million in speaking fees to spend on a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, where Favre had played football and where his daughter played volleyball.
The costs came from a nonprofit that spent the money from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families with approval from the state Department of Human Services.
Sharpe said Favre “took money from the least fortunate,” that he “stole money from people who really needed the money” and that someone would have to be very pathetic “to steal from the very poorest.”
Favre was not charged with violating the law and had paid back $1.1 million. White said in a February court document that Favre still owed $729,790 because interest was causing the original amount owed to grow.
Favre sued Sharpe over his criticism of the show. A federal district judge dismissed the lawsuit, and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday denied Favre’s appeal. The ruling said Sharpe’s comments were constitutionally protected opinion based on publicly known facts.