JJ McCarthy Reacts Strongly to White House Using Taylor Swift Song as Background Music for TikTok Video, Sparking Online Fury
JJ McCarthy, the standout quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, has made headlines after reacting strongly to the White House using a Taylor Swift song as background music for a video posted on their official TikTok account. The choice of song has sparked a frenzied debate online, with many fans and critics weighing in on the controversial move, bringing up past tensions between the Swift and Trump camps.
In a tweet that quickly went viral, McCarthy called the decision “unbelievable,” saying, “Using a Taylor Swift song for a political video is a whole new level of disrespect. What are they thinking? Her music isn’t a prop for political agendas. This isn’t just about music – it’s about how this situation has been handled poorly.”
The video in question, which was posted to the White House’s TikTok account, featured the song “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift. While the clip aimed to highlight certain policies and initiatives, the choice of the song did not sit well with many, especially since Swift has been one of the more vocal critics of former President Donald Trump.
McCarthy’s tweet ignited a firestorm of online reactions, with Swift’s supporters expressing frustration that her music was being used in this context. Some fans pointed to the long-running and highly publicized feud between Taylor Swift and Trump, which dates back several years, as a reason why this particular song choice felt out of place. Swift has consistently opposed Trump’s politics and even publicly endorsed his political opponents in past elections.
“The irony here is off the charts,” said one Twitter user. “The White House knows exactly what they’re doing, and it’s disrespecting Taylor Swift’s voice by using her song in a campaign video. This is nothing less than a slap in the face to everything she’s stood for.”
The tensions between Swift and Trump are well-documented. Swift has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on social issues, and has even gone so far as to endorse his political adversaries. Trump, in turn, has criticized Swift on several occasions, calling her out on Twitter and mocking her for her political opinions.
The choice of Swift's song seems to have amplified these existing divides, as the TikTok video was quickly viewed as yet another political move aimed at manipulating Swift’s brand and public image for a certain agenda. Swift’s fans and political opponents of Trump were quick to point out that the singer’s music should not be used for political purposes without her consent.
In response to the backlash, the White House has not issued a formal statement regarding the controversy. However, the incident has brought even more attention to the already divisive political atmosphere, with both sides of the political spectrum using the situation as fuel for further discussions about celebrity influence in politics.
JJ McCarthy’s response has not been the only one, as countless others have chimed in, with many questioning the ethics of using an artist’s work without their permission, particularly when it concerns polarizing figures like Trump and Swift.
“This entire situation is a reminder that even something as simple as music can stir up emotions,” one political analyst noted. “In today’s climate, every move, every song, every tweet is scrutinized, and people are increasingly aware of the narratives behind these actions.”
As the debate rages on, the drama between the White House, Taylor Swift, and the ongoing political tensions is far from over. Whether or not the White House will change its approach to using popular music in future content remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation continues to spark intense reactions across social media platforms.
Giants GM Joe Schoen was unsuccessful at trade deadline despite 'feverishly' working
The New York Giants had a quiet trade deadline, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. General manager Joe Schoen “feverishly worked the phones from all angles in recent weeks,” Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes. Schoen called about some “big players,” Jordan Raanan of ESPN adds, but he wasn’t in position to surrender significant draft capital.
At 2-7 and all but eliminated from playoff contention, the Giants were only going to add if it meant acquiring a player (or players) under control beyond this season, per Dunleavy. Having lost No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4, the Giants were reportedly “big-game hunting” at the position in mid-October. However, that was before the Giants dropped three straight games and drifted out of the postseason race.
It’s unclear if the Giants were in on any receivers on Tuesday, but Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed were the only proven wideouts who ended up on the move. As pending free agents, neither player was a fit for the Giants. The Dolphins listened to offers Jaylen Waddle, who’s under control through 2028, but nobody would meet their asking price of a first-round pick and more.
With the deadline having come and gone with no receiver addition, the Giants will head into the offseason with Nabers and Darius Slayton as their top options for 2026. Otherwise, New York doesn’t have any reliable wideouts under contract for next year.
As the Giants’ leading receiver this year, soon-to-be free agent Wan’Dale Robinson has formed a rapport with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Robinson would like to remain a Giant, but if the team don’t re-sign him, it could find a replacement via the draft, trade, or free agency. That’ll be up to the GM to decide, whether it’s Schoen or someone else.
