Travis Kelce’s mom, Donna Kelce, has become a familiar face on national television, often finding herself fielding questions about her son’s high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift. However, it’s clear that Donna doesn’t always appreciate the persistent curiosity surrounding Travis’s personal life.
Back in November, Donna Kelce made an appearance on the “TODAY” show, where she was asked whether Taylor Swift would be joining their family for Thanksgiving. At the time, Donna seemed to suggest that Taylor wouldn’t be able to make it, citing her ongoing Eras Tour.
“I am going to be at a football game. Travis is playing the day after Thanksgiving. You know, football is always the holidays. Football’s family,” Donna said. When pressed on whether Taylor would be celebrating with them, she replied, “I don’t think so. She’s kind of busy right now. She still has her tour to do.”
But in a surprising turn of events, weeks later, PEOPLE reported that Taylor Swift had, in fact, hosted the Kelce family for Thanksgiving in Nashville. This revelation led to speculation that the holiday plans may have been set long before Donna’s television appearance.
According to the report: The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35, and the 34-year-old pop superstar celebrated the holiday together, bringing along both of their families. A source confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE that Taylor and her family—including her father, Scott, and mother, Andrea—hosted the Kelce family in Nashville, before Travis flew out to prepare for the Chiefs’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, November 29.
The unexpected news raised questions among fans: Was Donna Kelce deliberately misleading about Taylor’s plans, or was she simply trying to keep things private? Swifties quickly rallied behind Donna, praising her for what they saw as a protective gesture to maintain Taylor’s privacy.
“Shoutout to Donna Kelce for respecting Tay’s privacy and saying that Taylor wouldn’t be with them for Thanksgiving when she actually was. Iconic woman,” one fan wrote on social media, applauding her for handling the situation with discretion.
Another fan appreciated Donna’s unbothered approach, saying, “I was telling my coworker I love how Donna is just like ‘idk, she’s probably busy’ every time. Lmao, she’s a star.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, with one commenting, “Donna Kelce out here winning the privacy game while delivering the ultimate Thanksgiving twist.” Another simply stated, “She answered a dumb question with a dumb answer lol.”
RELATED: Donna Kelce Was ‘Not Disappointed’ Taylor Swift Missed Chiefs-Eagles Game
It seems that Donna Kelce may have been trying to protect both her son and Taylor from the constant media attention by downplaying the holiday plans. Regardless of her true intentions, fans seemed to appreciate her approach to preserving some privacy for their burgeoning relationship.
The Thanksgiving celebration reportedly went well, with both families enjoying their time together. A source told PEOPLE, “Taylor and Travis had a great Thanksgiving together with their families. It’s the first Thanksgiving they celebrated together.” This milestone marked a significant moment in their relationship, bringing both families closer during the holiday season.
As for the Chiefs, they capped off the holiday weekend with a hard-fought victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, winning 19-17 on Black Friday.
Travis Kelce was able to celebrate both a successful game and a memorable Thanksgiving with Taylor and their families, making it a holiday to remember.
Donna Kelce, meanwhile, remains a beloved figure in both the football and pop culture worlds, known for her down-to-earth demeanor and protective instincts when it comes to her family.
Whether she was keeping things under wraps or simply giving an offhand answer, her fans clearly admire the way she handles the spotlight—and her son’s high-profile romance.
