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Media Literacy 2024: Case Study: Taylor and Travis

Excerpts from the article "Here's why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading."

Mike Crispi, a pro-Trump podcast host on the right-wing Salem Media Group, posted a rant claiming the NFL had "RIGGED" a Chiefs victory. "All to spread DEMOCRAT PROPAGANDA. Calling it now: KC wins, goes to Super Bowl, Swift comes out at the halftime show and 'endorses' Joe Biden with Kelce at midfield. It's all been an op since day one," Crispi wrote on X.

"I wonder who's going to win the Super Bowl next month. And I wonder if there's a major presidential endorsement coming from an artificially culturally propped-up couple this fall," former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy...

 

Unfounded claims about Swift's alleged role as a government plant have been swirling for some time. Last month, Fox News host Jesse Watters speculated that Swift might be a Pentagon "psyop" — an asset used for psychological operations. "Is Swift a front for a covert political agenda?" he asked. While noting that he had no evidence, he pointed to Swift's endorsement of Biden in 2020 and her recent encouragement that fans register to vote, which led to a surge in registrations...

Bond, Shannon. “Here's why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading.” NPR, 1 February 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/02/01/1228373511/heres-why-conspiracy-theories-about-taylor-swift-and-the-super-bowl-are-spreadin. Accessed 9 February 2024.

“Donald Trump allies target Taylor Swift in Super Bowl conspiracy theory.” Evening Standard, 1 February 2024, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/us-politics/donald-trump-super-bowl-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-joe-biden-conspiracy-theory-b1136422.html. Accessed 9 February 2024.

  1. Read the quotes; what might the goal of the people saying these things about Taylor Swift?
  2. How could you fact check the statements made about Swift?
  3. What could be the possible consequences of false statements like this being made? Or do you think it is harmless?