James Comey slammed Donald Trump while also sharing that he and his family are big Taylor Swift fans. The former FBI Director admitted in a video that he is a “Swiftie” and said that Swift has been a source of advice for him, especially on how to deal with bullies. Comey revealed that his family has a group chat dedicated to Swift, and he has even been to two of her concerts. He also said he helped some family members pay for tickets.
“I’m in a family Swiftie group chat. I know all her music and I listen to it in my headphones when I cut the grass,” Comey explained.
Comey said his two favorite songs are the 10-minute version of All Too Well and Exile featuring Bon Iver.
“Taylor Swift has grown up with my family and given us a soundtrack as we’ve grown, learned, and faced both tough times and celebrations,” he said. “I know millions of families probably feel the same way.”
Comey added that at every stage of Swift’s career, she has influenced kids in ways that felt important to him as a parent. He said she continues to inspire even as an adult artist.
‘She sees Donald Trump for what he is’
Comey explained that Swift’s example has encouraged him to stand up to “bullies” without becoming one himself. “I don’t want us to become like Trump and his followers,” he said. “There are far more decent, honest, kind people in America than there are mean jerks. And don’t get me wrong, we have our jerks — millions of them.”
“I am not saying we should be weak. Of course, we must stand up for what matters. But we should try to do it without turning into bullies ourselves, and that’s where Taylor Swift comes in,” he said. “She’s made clear that she sees Donald Trump for what he is. Last year, she urged Americans not to make the serious mistake of electing him.”
Comey then compared Swift’s outlook to President Trump’s behavior. “We’re now living with the consequences of that mistake. While our elderly, makeup-covered president is posting online about whether Taylor Swift is still hot and saying he can’t stand her, what’s she doing? Living her best life, producing amazing music, and reminding us not to give power to the jerks.”
He also quoted Swift’s advice that people should treat their energy “like a luxury item.” Comey said this connects with research showing that rudeness makes people less happy. “We can’t stop people from being jerks. But we can stop them from changing us or making us unhappy,” he said.
Comey also recalled a Swift concert he attended in Hartford, Connecticut, 14 years ago. He said Swift performed her song Mean, which asks hurtful people why they act the way they do.
“I bet you got pushed around. Somebody made you cold. But the cycle ends right now, because you can’t drag me down that road,” Comey recited from memory. “You’ll be glad I didn’t sing that,” he joked. “But the message is clear: no one should have the power to pull us into unhappiness.”
