James Comey: How Taylor Swift’s Lyrics Fuel His Fight Against Political Bullies

Former FBI Director James Comey isn’t just handling national security files these days – he’s also blasting Taylor Swift while mowing his lawn. In a surprising and candid revelation on his Substack platform, Comey declared himself a devoted “Swiftie,” detailing how Swift’s music serves as both a family soundtrack and a personal philosophy for navigating the turbulent waters of American politics, particularly in confronting figures like Donald Trump.

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Why Do Taylor Swift’s Lyrics Resonate With Political Figures?
Comey explained that Swift’s evolution as an artist has paralleled his family’s own journey. “Taylor Swift has grown up with my family and provided us a soundtrack, really, as we’ve grown ourselves and learned and adapted and dealt with adversity and celebration,” Comey stated in his video message. He specifically highlighted his appreciation for how her lyrics connect meaningfully with younger generations, a resonance he values deeply as a parent. This isn’t just background music; Comey actively engages, admitting to lawn-mowing sessions powered by “Tay Tay’s” beats. His fandom extends beyond enjoyment to finding genuine inspiration in her messages about resilience and self-worth, particularly in the face of criticism and bullying – themes he directly applies to his own experiences in the political spotlight.

Swift’s Anti-Bullying Message as Political Armor
Comey’s admiration for Swift transcends musical taste; it shapes his approach to political conflict. He expressed discomfort with retaliatory attacks against political adversaries, fearing it risks mirroring the very behavior he condemns. “I don’t want us to become like Trump and his followers,” Comey asserted, acknowledging America has “millions” of “mean jerks” but emphasizing the majority are decent. When strategizing responses to attacks, he turns to Swift’s philosophy. “I am not an advocate for weakness. Of course, we need to stand up to jerks and defend what matters, but I think we have to try to do that without becoming like them, which is what makes me think about Taylor Swift,” he explained. He recalled Swift urging Americans not to re-elect Trump last year and contrasted her dignified focus on her craft and life with Trump’s public antagonism towards her. For Comey, Swift embodies the power of refusing to grant detractors control over one’s mind.

He specifically cited the lyrics of Swift’s song “Mean” as a source of strength: “I bet you got pushed around. Somebody made you cold. But the cycle ends right now, because you can’t leave me down that road.” Comey elaborated, “That’s right, because down that road of unhappiness, nobody should have that power over us.” This mindset, drawn directly from Swift’s catalog, forms his strategy for dealing with political hostility: standing firm without succumbing to the same negativity.

Must Know

• Is James Comey really a Taylor Swift fan? Yes. In a video posted to his Substack on August 17, 2025, Comey explicitly declared himself a “Swiftie,” detailing how her music is a family soundtrack and personal inspiration.
• What Taylor Swift songs does James Comey reference? Comey specifically mentioned drawing strength from the lyrics of “Mean,” which deals with overcoming bullies. He also implied a broad appreciation for her work, mentioning her growth as an artist.
• How does James Comey connect Taylor Swift to politics? Comey uses Swift’s message of resilience and refusing to let bullies control your mind as a model for responding to political attacks, particularly from Donald Trump and his supporters, without becoming like them.
• What did Taylor Swift say about Donald Trump? Comey referenced Swift’s public stance from last year, where she urged Americans not to re-elect Donald Trump, calling it a “serious mistake.”
• What was James Comey’s reaction to Trump’s comments about Swift? Comey contrasted Trump’s public antagonism towards Swift (questioning her appearance and expressing dislike) with Swift’s focus on her career and life, seeing her approach as the healthier, more powerful response.
• How has the public reacted to Comey being a Swiftie? The revelation, shared widely on social media like Twitter (The Calvin Coolidge Project, August 17, 2025), has generated significant surprise and discussion, highlighting the unexpected intersection of high-level politics and pop culture fandom.

James Comey’s embrace of Taylor Swift fandom underscores the unexpected ways cultural icons provide frameworks for navigating complex realities. By channeling Swift’s anthems of self-possession and resilience, especially the core message of “Mean,” Comey articulates a strategy for confronting political hostility without surrendering personal decency – proving that sometimes, the best armor against bullies, political or otherwise, is simply to Shake It Off.