Taylor Swift, a feminist hero for generations of women worldwide, responded to Harrison Butker’s contentious speech in a subtle but profound way. The kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce’s teammate, stated that women have been given “diabolical lies” and that “homemaker” is the “most important” role a woman can play in society.
His speech took place on May 11, 2024, at Benedictine College—a Catholic liberal arts college in Kansas—and he actually had the audacity to reference Swift in his speech, quoting her song “Bejewelled”: “As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt’” among other attacks on abortion, contraception, IVF, and accused world leaders of “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”
The day after Butker’s speech, Swift devoted an Instagram post to “the new Tortured Poets section of the Eras Tour (aka Female Rage The Musical!)”. Swift has been an advocate for equality and an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, so it’s reasonable to assume his ideals don’t match hers.
Fans have also taken to the Chief’s Instagram account to respond to Butker’s statements. When the team’s schedule for the 2017 football season was announced, the comments area was inundated with mocking remarks. “My husband doesn’t let me watch TV, he says it gives me ideas,” wrote one of them. “I’m sorry, I can’t watch; I’ll miss my fertile window,” said another.