Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes were both in attendance for the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, a game that saw the Chiefs pull off a 27-20 victory. However, the attention wasn’t solely on the action on the field—speculation arose as Swift and Mahomes, who were often seen together last season, sat apart this time around, potentially reflecting more than just seating arrangements.
The separation comes amid growing controversy around Mahomes’ recent social media activity, which appears to show her support for former President Donald Trump. Last year, Swift and Mahomes frequently shared suites at Arrowhead Stadium, with their dynamic becoming a beloved feature of Chiefs games. The pair’s camaraderie, along with their relationships with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, helped the Chiefs broaden their appeal, especially among female fans. Their quirky interactions and frequent camera cutaways during broadcasts became a staple of the team’s home games.
But in 2024, the landscape has changed. Mahomes has found herself in hot water after liking several social media posts in support of Trump, including one that outlined his “2024 GOP platform.” Her public display of support, first noticed in August, sparked a backlash from some fans, including many Swifties—Taylor Swift’s loyal fanbase—who quickly circulated screenshots of Mahomes’ actions. Swift’s fans, who have seen the pop star speak out on political issues like abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun control, were quick to voice their disapproval, further fueling the controversy.
The tension between the two public figures seemed apparent on Thursday night, as Swift was seen sitting with Travis Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, while Mahomes sat in a different suite with her daughter, Sterling Skye. The contrast was striking, given their previously close friendship. Fans began to speculate whether the seating arrangement was intentional or a sign of a potential rift between the two women.
Mahomes, who is pregnant with her third child, had first shown her support for Trump in an Instagram like on August 13. Since then, she has been doubling down, liking more pro-Trump content, including comments endorsing a “TRUMP-VANCE 2024” ticket and supporting her stance against the criticism she’s received. Trump himself even took notice, publicly thanking Brittany Mahomes and praising her and Patrick Mahomes as a “great couple” in a post on his Truth Social account.
In response to the backlash, Mahomes addressed the situation on her Instagram Stories, writing, “To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep-rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.” She also called for kindness despite differences in opinion, a message she repeated in subsequent posts.
Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, has stayed silent on political matters. He has never publicly endorsed a candidate or expressed political views, and in an interview with Time earlier this year, he emphasized that he would not share who he planned to vote for in the upcoming election. Patrick and Brittany, both from Whitehouse, Texas—a Republican-leaning town—have faced increased scrutiny in light of Brittany’s political stance, though Patrick continues to show unwavering support for his wife.
Taylor Swift, on the other hand, has been vocal about her political beliefs. In 2018, she made headlines when she endorsed Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee, breaking her long-standing silence on political issues. In 2020, she publicly supported Joe Biden and condemned Donald Trump, calling his presidency “racist” in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder.
While the two women have not directly addressed the apparent seating arrangement or the swirling rumors, many speculate that the differing political views between Swift and Mahomes could be a factor. With Swift’s continued support for Democratic candidates and Mahomes’ public displays of support for Trump, it’s possible that political differences could be straining their once close friendship.
The NFL season is just getting started, and as the Chiefs pursue another Super Bowl run, the dynamic between Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes will likely remain under the spotlight. Whether their friendship can weather the storm of political controversy remains to be seen, but for now, the speculation continues.
