KANSAS CITY, Mo. – If you find yourself among Kansas City Chiefs enthusiasts outside Arrowhead Stadium on game day, you might assume Taylor Swift was invited to put on an early season halftime performance.

The atmosphere at the Chiefs’ home games is electric, with fans grilling, blasting hip-hop music, and engaging in discussions about game strategies and star players. Amidst a sea of red, white, and gold merchandise, flags and signs with Swift’s name flutter in the wind. Often, Swift garners more attention than her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

As the 2024 presidential election gears up, Swift’s notable endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris is more prominent than ever.

This endorsement represents the most sought-after backing in the election season. Swift generated significant anticipation as her liberal fanbase organized, while some on the political right speculated about her public image.

Swift’s ties to the NFL embody peak American fandom: football, pop culture, and, in recent months, the political chatter surrounding her potential endorsement of the Democratic candidate.

Shortly after the debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump, Swift expressed her support for the vice president on Instagram to her 284 million followers, describing her as “a steady-handed, gifted leader.”

The pop icon did not mention Trump in her post, except to denounce false images of her supporting him, which the former president shared on Truth Social. She humorously signed her post as a “childless cat lady,” alluding to comments made by Senator JD Vance about those without children.

Swift’s presence at football games has always been a topic of debate, with fans divided on whether she enhances the sport’s appeal or becomes a distraction. Her endorsement of a presidential candidate did not lessen her controversial presence during the Chiefs’ narrow Sunday win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sheena Bryant, a 38-year-old realtor from Branson, Missouri, was tailgating outside Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. While she identifies as a Republican, she admitted to liking Swift’s music.

“I wasn’t thrilled about (Swift’s endorsement),” Bryant mentioned. She believes everyone has the right to endorse a party, but she remains hopeful that Republicans can achieve victories in the upcoming election and address issues like abortion and border security.

“I hope her followers are encouraged to think critically about the reasons behind their support,” Bryant added, noting that she believes young women, a crucial voting group, might be influenced by Swift.

Chiefs supporters expressed various views on Swift’s friendship with Brittany Mahomes, the businesswoman and wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Although Brittany has not publicly endorsed a candidate for 2024, she recently caught attention for liking a MAGA post on Instagram.

Chiefs fans acknowledged the need for mutual respect among friends with differing political beliefs. Jason Schuler, a 46-year-old from Kansas City who works with children with disabilities, remarked, “That’s what this country has lost.”

“If my buddy here disagrees with me, which happens often, it doesn’t make either of us wrong,” Schuler stated.

Trump and Vance attempted to downplay Swift’s endorsement last week. Vance told Fox News that Swift’s wealth makes her “fundamentally disconnected” from everyday Americans.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump told his 7.7 million followers, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”

The former president also warned in a recent Fox interview that Swift might “pay a price” among music fans because of her endorsement.

However, if you wander through the spacious concourses of Arrowhead Stadium on game day, you’ll see clear evidence that Swift’s supporters remain loyal: Friendship bracelets.

‘Thank you Taylor’

Friendship bracelets became a signature accessory for Swifties during her record-setting Eras Tour, drawing from her song “You’re on Your Own Kid,” where she sings, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”

Lauren Burwell, a 33-year-old director of a youth mental health program, waited outside Arrowhead Stadium for a friend before the Chiefs game. She wore friendship bracelets that referenced both the Chiefs and Swift’s song “Betty,” along with her album “The Tortured Poets Department.”

shared her appreciation for Swift’s support and reposted it on her Instagram.

“What I admire most about her is her focus on encouraging people to vote and do their research. When I saw her post, I thought, ‘Thank you, Taylor,’” Burwell explained.

Ryann Williams and Hilary Embry, who referred to themselves as “big fans” of Swift’s endorsement, took a seat at a bar inside Arrowhead Stadium after the kickoff.

When asked about Trump’s comment where he expressed his disdain for Swift, Williams dismissed it as “really childish.” However, both women expressed concern for Swift’s safety, particularly as the former president intensifies his attacks against her.

“My main hope is for Taylor’s safety. I worry that this could provoke some sort of negative response against her. His influence is significant, just like hers. It feels both dangerous and frightening,” said the 36-year-old environmental scientist from Kansas City.

“I was surprised but not shocked,” added Embry, a 37-year-old salon owner from Kansas City.

Swift’s endorsement of Harris isn’t her first dive into politics. The 14-time Grammy winner backed President Joe Biden and Harris in 2020, expressing regret for not being more involved in the 2016 election.

In her 2020 documentary, “Miss Americana,” Swift criticized Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, branding her “Trump in a wig.”

Some of Swift’s engagement in politics hasn’t been voluntary. Earlier this year, conspiracy theories emerged speculating that she was part of a Democratic scheme to influence the 2024 election. Others falsely claimed her relationship with Kelce was a PR tactic to help the Chiefs or the NFL overall.

A Monmouth University poll from February revealed that almost 20% of Americans believed a fabricated theory claiming Swift was involved in a plan to enhance Biden’s reelection efforts, which ended earlier this summer.

Kelce also faced backlash from some right-wing commentators after featuring in a Pfizer ad promoting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Additionally, he collaborated with Bud Light, which received threats over its partnership with a transgender influencer.

Despite Swift sparking international discussions, it’s uncertain how impactful her endorsement will be come November.

Does Taylor Swift’s endorsement matter?

Swift’s Democratic supporters have been eagerly anticipating her endorsement.

For instance, the group Swifties for Kamala emerged once Harris became a leading Democratic candidate. This largely online organization has gained tens of thousands of followers across social media and conducted a 34,000-person Zoom event last month featuring singer Carole King, Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and countless Swifties.

Could Swift’s endorsement actually influence voters in a tightly contested election?

A Suffolk University/YSL News poll conducted in May revealed that 9.2% of participants believed Swift’s endorsement would impact their voting decisions. In comparison, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama topped the poll with 34.6% and 29.4%, respectively.

While these percentages suggest some voters may not be heavily swayed by Swift’s endorsement, it could carry weight in crucial swing states likely to decide the election outcome. In 2020, Biden won Swift’s home state of Pennsylvania, securing 50% of the votes compared to Trump’s 48.8%.

Resonate, a data and insights firm analyzing extensive online engagement, found approximately 253,000 voters in Pennsylvania could consider Swift’s endorsement when casting their ballots this fall, alongside voters in other key states. However, experts caution that celebrity endorsements can sometimes backfire.

For years, Swift has encouraged her fans to register to vote. This may further enhance her influence in the upcoming 2024 elections. Data from the General Services Administration revealed that Vote.gov received 405,999 visitors the day after Swift shared a personalized URL for voting resources with her endorsement, significantly up from about 30,000 daily visitors the previous week.

Kathryn Cramer Brownell, a history professor at Purdue University, mentioned that she wasn’t surprised by Swift’s endorsement, noting the “All Too Well” singer has previously taken stands on reproductive rights, LGBTQ issues, and other significant topics that Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have made key elements of their campaign.

However, will Swift be able to win over any MAGA supporters? It seems unlikely.

Her endorsement might engage individuals who are less informed about the election or not aligned with traditional party lines. “It may open their eyes and spark their interest in the campaign,” Brownell noted.

Furthermore, Swift’s endorsement doesn’t signal a new direction for the NFL or American sports culture as a whole.

The interplay between politics and sports in America dates back to colonial times, as explained by Matthew Andrews, a history professor at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. This history includes the backlash faced by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he protested against police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.

“Many argue for keeping politics separate from sports,” Andrews stated. “Yet sports have always contained political elements in this country, from the very beginning.”

Are young voters swayed by Taylor Swift?

On the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, located about 8 miles from Arrowhead Stadium, freshman Paige Parquette, an 18-year-old and self-identified Swftie, remarked.

Parquette, a Republican from Maryland planning to support Trump this fall, was not taken aback by Swift’s endorsement, given that the singer had backed Biden in 2020. She expressed her approval of Swift promoting voter registration, stating, “I think it’s good for people to know how to go out and get registered to vote because more voters make better representation.”

Students around the campus, including the student center and library, commented to YSL News about Swift’s endorsement. However, they quickly shifted the conversation to pressing national matters, such as abortion rights, student debt, food prices, and issues at the southern border.

Neb Cockrell, an 18-year-old freshman, noted that they are not particularly a fan of Swift. However, they found it unfortunate that Swift had to make a public announcement because of artificial intelligence claims suggesting she would vote for Trump.

This history major from Kansas City emphasized the importance of various issues in their voting decision, especially access to abortion, but stated, “I’m not really basing it off of a celebrity.”

Outside Arrowhead Stadium, Burwell, dressed in red under a tent, shared a similar sentiment.

“I’m not swayed by Taylor Swift,” Burwell said regarding Swift’s endorsement. “But I’m glad she still did it.”

Swift attended the game on Sunday, cheering from a box as the Chiefs narrowly won, bringing together fans from different political backgrounds.

Contributions from: Margie Cullen, Trevor Hughes, and Jim Sergent, YSL News