A man from Texas has gained attention online after purchasing a guitar signed by Taylor Swift for thousands of dollars at a charity auction, only to smash it with a hammer.

A TikTok video featuring one of the auction staff in Waxahachie, Texas, shows him playfully brandishing a hammer while holding the six-string guitar adorned with images of Taylor Swift.

“When I saw the auctioneer grab a hammer, I knew I had to capture this moment on video,” shared JD Cobb, the person who filmed the TikTok and was present at the event, in a statement to YSL News. “Initially, I thought it was just a prank.”

The individual who won the auction, reportedly spending $3,200 on the guitar, holds the instrument in one hand and strikes it with the hammer a total of 17 times. The crowd can be heard cheering, as he smiles and pretends to break the guitar over his head but ultimately refrains from doing so.

“The wall hanger is no longer needed,” joked the auctioneer, adding, “Hey, Gary, go ahead and hang that broken thing up.”

Craig Meier, a representative for the dinner event, confirmed the incident to YSL News, noting that the guitar was indeed signed and came with a certificate of authenticity.

YSL News has reached out to Taylor Swift’s team for their reaction.

What is the Ellis County WildGame Dinner?

The Ellis County WildGame Dinner is organized to fundraise for Future Farmers of America and 4-H scholarships, which are tied to agricultural business student organizations. Community members and local business owners purchase dinner tickets priced at $50, with a chance to win items like vacations, firearms, and guided hunting excursions.

<p”It’s been surprising to see how much attention this has received,” Meier remarked to YSL News. “There was no ill intent; it was simply a lighthearted comment about the entertainment industry’s influence on politics. Everyone at the event found it amusing.”

After Cobb shared the 31-second clip online, it quickly went viral.

“This is wild,” Cobb expressed. “Now, it’s the buzz around town.”

He suspects that the hammering incident may have to do with Swift’s recent support of Kamala Harris.

“We’re in Ellis County, where Trump has many supporters,” Cobb pointed out. “Particularly among the country community, there aren’t many fans of Taylor Swift.”

The backlash from destroying a Taylor Swift guitar

The incident sparked a wave of criticism from fans of Swift online.

“These guys are not setting a good example for their kids,” commented Dawn Caivano beneath the TikTok clip. “They’re showing such disrespect for a woman’s worth. I can only imagine how proud their wives must be.”

“Not a single Christian in sight,” wrote @raisingteenagersishard. “Let’s promote peace and love, not hate!”

Conversely, some people defended the actions of the man, expressing admiration for the destruction.

“This is priceless!” stated Latisha Bradshaw.

“Awesome,” commented @spacepuppy64.

(This article was updated to include additional information.)