Why this picture of Swift has fans incensed

The global superstar may be all smiles in this picture from the US Open, but it’s sparked a very heated debate on social media.

Taylor Swift is facing major backlash from fans over one of her very public friendships.

Swift has been at the centre of discussion on social media after she shared a loving hug with Brittany Mahomes at the US Open.

Swift and her football beau, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, arrived hand-in-hand at their box shortly before the start of the final. The Mahomes — Brittany and husband Patrick, the Chiefs’ quarterback — rolled up a little later.

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Brittany Mahomes attend the Men's Singles Final match between Taylor Fritz of the United States and Jannik Sinner of Italy on Day Fourteen of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images.

Swift and Mahomes were seen cuddling and laughing together, which struck a nerve among fans on social media because of the model’s apparent support for Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

Mahomes sparked backlash after liking one of Donald Trump’s Instagram posts last month.

The post listed Trump’s campaign promises, including “Keep men OUT of women’s sports” and “Cut federal funding for any school pushing Critical Race Theory, Radical Gender Ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.”

The swimsuit model then appeared to respond to the criticism on her Instagram Stories.

“I mean honestly, To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood,” she wrote. “There’s no reason your brain is fully developed and you hate to see others doing well.”

Swift has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, and yet she seems happy to cosy up to his supporters. Picture: SCOTT OLSON / Getty Images.

“I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me, and the fact that MAGA is the greatest and most powerful Political Movement in the History of our now Failing Country,” Trump wrote in response.

“With Crime and Illegal Immigration totally out of control, INFLATION Ravaging all Americans, and a World that is laughing at the stupidity of our hapless “leaders,” it is nice to see someone who loves our Country, and wants to save it from DOOM. What a great couple – See you both at the Super Bowl!”

Swift was joined at the US Open by her boyfriend Travis Kelce. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images.

As many know, Swift has been an outspoken critic of Trump after taking a stand against him in her documentary, Miss Americana.

Trump’s rhetoric goes directly against what Swift claims to stand for, so her decision to cosy up to an apparent supporter of the former president has sparked anger from fans, with some even calling Swift “spineless”.

‘Remember in her documentary when she said she thinks it is so spineless of her to say happy pride month and then not stand up when someone is literally coming for their necks … and now she’s besties with someone who supports him! and has been silent on literally everything!” said one disappointed fan.

“5 years ago taylor was crying in a documentary bc wanted to actively go against trump which she did and branded herself as miss americana. now she’s cuddling with trumpies,” wrote another.

A third fan added: “It’s soooo interesting to me that Taylor was only willing to outwardly say her political opinions when she thought her career was on the decline.”

Another tweet hitting out at the star’s “hypocritical” act had thousands of likes on X.

Originally published as Why this picture of Swift has fans incensed