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A clip from singer Taylor Swift's 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana in which she faced down her father back in 2018 over her right to publicly speak out against Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has gone viral again and earned her more praise from Swifties and non-Swifties alike.
Swift first criticized Blackburn in an extensive Instagram post during the 2018 midterm elections, statements which marked the first time the pop star publicly expressed her political stance.
At the time, Swift said she would never vote for Blackburn despite a desire to see more women in political office because Blackburn would "not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love."
You can see her post below.
When Miss Americana was released, it garnered significant attention for an exchange Swift had with her father, who expressed reservations about her condemnation of Blackburn on the grounds that expressing her political views would alienate fans.
But Swift was undeterred and proceeded to outline many of the criticisms she shared about the Tennessee Republican in her initial Instagram post.
Blackburn “votes against fair pay for women,” a tearful Swift told her father and her team at the time, adding:
“She votes against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which is just basically protecting us from domestic abuse and stalking. Stalking. She thinks that if you’re a gay couple, or even if y⁹ou look like a gay couple, you should be allowed to be kicked out of a restaurant."
"It’s really basic human rights, and it’s right and wrong at this point, and I can’t see another commercial and see her disguising these policies behind the words ‘Tennessee Christian values.’"
"Those aren’t Tennessee Christian values. I live in Tennessee. I am Christian. That’s not what we stand for.”
You can see the video below.
\u201cBreathtaking moment - Taylor Swift takes a stand against Marsha Blackburn. \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\n\n\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
Many expressed admiration for Swift while acknowledging the strength she displayed standing up to her father.
\u201c@jayfarnold The psychological manipulation and indoctrination she has to deal with from her father, it\u2019s really scary. She\u2019s almost in tears asking him to forgive her for being an actual decent human being.\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
\u201c@jayfarnold I can't name a single Swift song. But after seeing this I have nothing but respect and admiration for her.\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
\u201c@jayfarnold I have always liked and admired her. Understanding how she struggles to balance the safety of herself, her family, and her fans with her moral compass makes me value her more. #TennesseeTreasure\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
\u201c@jayfarnold Wow! I have always loved that young lady for being a terrific talent. Now I love her even more.\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
\u201c@jayfarnold Seeing Taylor as just a woman and not the celebrity is just like how so many of us women feel. Another reason to love her even more!\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
\u201c@jayfarnold What a fantastic example to be setting for her young fans - not to mention the many full grown adults who seem to have a hard time standing up for what\u2019s right!\u201d— Jay Arnold (@Jay Arnold) 1683025395
Blackburn responded to Swift's criticisms and comments about her.
In a 2021 interview with right-wing news source Breitbart, she attacked the left for turning country music "woke" and pushed conspiracies by implying singers like Swift would suffer under a socialist government.
\u201cSen. Marsha Blackburn continues her running feud with Taylor Swift, warning her that if we have a \u201csocialistic govt,\u201d the state would have to \u201capprove her music,\u201d and won\u2019t \u201callow women to dress, or sing, to be on stage, or entertain.\u201d\u201d— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1625771248
However no one was buying Blackburn's concern for Swift's future.