If one takes a photo with someone else, that does not mean that the two must agree on every political view or approach to life. Would one need to be careful posing with a criminal? Of course, but if it is just differing views we are discussing, it's mostly no big deal.
Such is the case with a recent picture Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce took with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of the Bussin' with the Boys podcast. The perceived issue some have after seeing the photo on social media is that Swift, and maybe Kelce, are betraying their fans by standing next to Compton and Lewan.
Some fans are upset because Compton and Lewan interviewed Donald Trump in October, just before the 2024 presidential election. Trump appeared on loads of podcasts, of course, and maybe Lewan and Compton voted for him. Swift and Kelce are not endorsing their views by being in a photo with them.
Recent Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce photo is being massively overhyped
Worse, social media reaction to the photo is fed by sites such as Parade when that magazine writes, "Compton and Lewan's October interview with Trump, among the POTUS' many other podcast appearances, was partially credited with his winning the 2024 election."
It's that kind of hyperbole that makes culture toxic. Did many people change their minds about voting for Trump because he appeared on Bussin' with the Boys? Unlikely, and that podcast certainly does not have enough power to help influence a presidential election.
One certainly has a right to dislike Trump, or any other politician or businessperson, but it's a stretch to imply that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have sold out their own views by taking a photo with people who might have voted for Trump.
Plus, in context, the picture makes sense. Lewan and Compton were participating in Kelce's recent Tight End University, an event he holds each year that is part fundraiser and also a place for tight ends (Kelce is, of course, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs) to work out together and learn from one another.
Swift and Kelce were simply interacting with others at the event, and someone snapped a photo. There were likely loads of pictures taken of Swift and Kelce, and that obviously doesn't mean the stars are supporting every view that the other people in the photo have.