Patrick Mahomes, star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, made headlines this week when he declined to endorse a candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Speaking to reporters ahead of the team’s practice for an upcoming game, Mahomes emphasized the importance of using his platform to inform people about the electoral process and encourage them to do their own research in order to make informed decisions for themselves and their families. The three-time Super Bowl winner stated that he did not want his place and platform to be used for endorsing a specific candidate in the election, emphasizing the importance of voter education and empowerment.
The decision by Mahomes not to endorse a candidate came shortly after musician Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Swift, who is currently dating Mahomes’ teammate Travis Kelce, expressed her support for Harris, citing her leadership qualities and commitment to the causes that Swift cares about. In her endorsement, Swift also emphasized the importance of combating misinformation and being transparent about her voting intentions. However, former President Donald Trump, who is rumored to be running for president again in 2024, criticized Swift’s decision to endorse Harris, comparing her to Brittany Mahomes, a friend of Swift’s who is reportedly a Trump supporter.
In his remarks on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Trump commented on Swift’s endorsement of Harris, suggesting that Swift’s backing of a Democrat was expected due to her liberal leanings. Trump also praised Brittany Mahomes, describing her as a “big Trump fan” and expressing his preference for her over Taylor Swift. The former president suggested that Swift may face consequences for her political statements in the marketplace, but he appeared to hold Brittany Mahomes in higher regard for her support of him. Notably, Brittany Mahomes had previously liked and then unliked a post on Instagram from Trump, which generated some backlash on social media.
Since the incident with the Instagram post, Brittany Mahomes has mostly refrained from engaging with political issues publicly, responding only to criticisms on social media with a message aimed at her detractors. She expressed her belief that adults who engage in hateful behavior likely have underlying issues from childhood that they have not addressed. Brittany Mahomes’ avoidance of the political spotlight contrasts with the outspoken endorsements and criticisms from figures like Taylor Swift and Donald Trump, who continue to publicly express their political beliefs as the 2024 election draws nearer. Overall, the involvement of celebrities and public figures in political discourse highlights the intersection of sports, entertainment, and politics in contemporary society.
