<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper"><strong>Better than revenge</strong></h2>

Millions of fans hang on her every word. Embassies release statements about her.¹ Scholars hold conferences to discuss her work in hushed, reverent tones.² An alien visitor might assume she is some kind of prophetSomebody with special powers to tell the wishes of God or a divine being. , not a singer.

But Taylor Swift is more than just a musician. Unlike other stars, she is also more than just a brand.

She is a lifelong project stretching from her teenage years, when she made waves for her soulful country music, to today: winner, as of Sunday night, of a record four "Best Album" grammysThe most prestigious award in the US music industry. The trophy is shaped like a gilded gramophone. Last year, Billie Eilish won most of the main awards., performing the world over.

She has appeared on the cover of TIME magazine. Now, her relationship with American football star Travis KelceAn American football player who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. is pushing wars and natural disasters on to page two.

Even non-fans have been captivated by this all-American scene, which could have been ripped straight from a high school film: the beautiful, slightly nerdy girl finding true love with a handsome jockIn the US and Canada, a stereotypical athlete or sports star, particularly one who is still at school. .

But this has made some people very angry. It has led, experts say, to a weird conspiracy theoryAn explanation for a phenomenon that centres around the actions of sinister, shadowy groups, where an absence of evidence can be interpreted as evidence of its truth. : that the US government is using Swift to get Joe Biden a second term in the White HouseThe official residence of the US president, in Washington DC. Burnt by British troops in 1814, it was rebuilt and painted white to hide the smoke stains..

They worry Swift and Kelce are due to issue an earthquake of an endorsementShowing public support or approval for something. : Joe Biden for president.³

Experts say it seems unlikely that Swift's relationship was set up. But some think conservatives are right to fear her power.

More than half of all Americans say they are Swift fans.⁴ And she is especially popular in the key 18 to 35 age group that has been turned off Biden by his handling of Israel's war in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. . A Swift endorsement might re-energise some of them.⁵

Moreover, it would be yet another pitch-perfect step in the Taylor Swift story: an icon of feminismCalling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality. , but with roots in the moderate conservatism of country music, coming to destroy the candidacy of the man who boasts that he ended the right to abortion. It would be like America itself rejecting Trump.

That could, observers say, become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Anticipating a Biden endorsement, some of Trump's allies have already gone on the attack against Swift.

Swifties are known for their devotion. Conservatives risk unleashing the power of her diehard fans on themselves before Swift has even said a word.

Could a pop star defeat Trump?

Yes: Swift is the master of self-presentation. She knows how high the stakes are. If she delivers an endorsement in this election, she will make it count.

No: Swift's endorsement would be a big coup for Biden. But in the end celebrity statements do not win elections. In 2016 Hillary Clinton assembled a vast crowd of famous supporters, and yet she still lost to Trump.

Or... The real risk for Trump is not that Swift endorses Biden, but that in raging about a conspiracy involving a pop star and her boyfriend, he looks weird and alienates normal voters.

Prophet - Somebody with special powers to tell the wishes of God or a divine being.

Grammys - The most prestigious award in the US music industry. The trophy is shaped like a gilded gramophone. Last year, Billie Eilish won most of the main awards.

Travis Kelce - An American football player who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jock - In the US and Canada, a stereotypical athlete or sports star, particularly one who is still at school.

Conspiracy theory - An explanation for a phenomenon that centres around the actions of sinister, shadowy groups, where an absence of evidence can be interpreted as evidence of its truth.

White House - The official residence of the US president, in Washington DC. Burnt by British troops in 1814, it was rebuilt and painted white to hide the smoke stains.

Endorsement - Showing public support or approval for something.

Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.

Feminism - Calling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality.