Donald Trump says he likes Taylor Swift’s ‘music about 25 per cent less now’

DONALD Trump has fired back at Taylor Swift after the popular US singer broke her political silence to endorse a Democrat.

US President Donald Trump said he liked pop superstar Taylor Swift’s music “about 25 per cent less” after her endorsement of the Democrat in Tennessee’s Senate race.

The “Bad Blood” singer backed Phil Bredesen on Sunday for the upper house in her home state, and unleashed a fierce attack on his opponent, Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House.

The president was asked for his reaction to the snub and told reporters at the White House he was “sure Taylor Swift doesn’t know anything” about Blackburn.

“Let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 per cent less now, okay?” Trump added, flashing what could best be described as a cheeky grin.

Donald Trump said he suspected Taylor Swift didn’t know enough about Marsha Blackburn. Picture: AFP

Trump, it should be noted, has form going back years as something of a Swifty. “Glad to hear that @taylorswift13 will be co-hosting the Grammy nominations special on 12.5. Taylor is terrific!” he tweeted breathlessly in October 2012.

In August of that year, addressing her directly, he swooned: “Thanks for the beautiful picture--- you are fantastic!”

President Donald Trump is less of a Taylor Swift fan now. Picture: AFP

The singer tends to stay above the political fray, but told her 112 million Instagram followers on Sunday she felt she needed to speak out ahead of the midterm elections in November.

“As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appals and terrifies me,” the 28-year-old said.

Taylor Swift at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. Picture: AFP

“She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape.”

The post echoes the calls of more vocal musicians such as Democratic supporters Katy Perry and Beyonce and Republican backer Kid Rock.

President Donald Trump, right, smiles as he stands with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Picture: AFP

Swift’s comments received more than 1.5 million likes on her Instagram page but enraged many conservatives, especially those in the country music community where Swift started as a teenager and went on to win 10 Grammys.

Taylor Swift has been criticised by some members of the country music community for ‘going political’. Picture: AFP

“What I used to love about Taylor Swift is she stayed away from politics,” Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative non-profit student organisation Turning Point, told Fox News on Monday.

Last year, Swift won a lawsuit against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her.

Taylor Swift's conservative fans are going ballistic. Huh. It's almost like they're surprised that the woman who sued a man on principle for sexually grabbing her might oppose the party that supports Trump and Kavanaugh.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 8, 2018

Well, she finally went there...in an Instagram post @taylorswift13 comes out against @MarshaBlackburn and says she’s voting for @PhilBredesen for Senate and @repjimcooper for Congress. pic.twitter.com/GvH43KMuJL

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 7, 2018

So @taylorswift13 has every right to be political but it won’t impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote. Still with #MarshaBlackburn

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 8, 2018

All jokes aside: What Taylor Swift just did is extremely important. Let's not forget: 53% of white women voted for Donald Trump. Having someone like Swift — who has a MASSIVE fanbase — come out against a Trump darling candidate like Marsha Blackburn is monumental in many ways.

— Ashley Alese Edwards (@AshleyAlese) October 8, 2018

The only thing worse than Taylor Swift offering political commentary is adults acting like her opinion matters.

— Michael Berry (@MichaelBerrySho) October 8, 2018