Taylor Swift's Political Influence: From Benjamin Button to Kamala Harris Endorsement

Taylor Swift and Haitian Rumours: Why the Harris vs Trump Debate Became Extremely Catty | World News - Times of India

When future generations study the 2024 US Presidential debate, they will wonder how the feline became such a prominent topic during, before, and after the debate. Not since ancient Egypt, where cats were worshipped, and the Goddess Bastet is depicted with a cat's head, has the feline been so central in the nation's politics. For that, we have to thank Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, JD Vance, and the most bizarre anti-immigrant rumour the MAGA crowd has concocted. 1. Childless Cat Lady The much-awaited endorsement from Swift came the night following a debate, in a message that was clearly a sharp rebuke of Trump and his supporters. After watching the debate, Swift said that the fake AI image of her endorsing Trump had prompted her to speak out. She wrote: "It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth." She continued: "I've done my research, and I've made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first-time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it's much easier to vote early. I'll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story." She concluded by declaring: "I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades." The most cutting remark came when she referred to herself as the "Childless Cat Lady," clearly in response to JD Vance, who had criticised single, childless women, a stance that MAGA was reinforcing. JD Vance quickly realised the backlash from Swift's fanbase after his previous comments about "childless cat ladies" resurfaced once Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris. In July 2021, Vance defended a speech he gave at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, where he criticised prominent Democratic leaders as part of the "childless left" and argued that they lacked "a physical commitment to the future of this country." Vance stated, "Our country is effectively run by Democrats and corporate oligarchs, many of whom are childless cat ladies. They're unhappy with their own lives and choices, and they want the rest of the country to feel miserable too. Just look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC -- the entire future of the Democrats is in the hands of people without children. How does it make sense that we've entrusted the country to people who don't have a direct stake in it?" He further suggested that a "healthy ruling class" should prioritise electing people with children, whom he believed had a more personal investment in the country's future. 2. Haitians Eating Cats A baseless claim that illegal immigrants from Haiti have been eating domestic pets in a small Ohio city has been repeated by Donald Trump. During ABC's presidential debate, Trump said: "In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They're eating - they are eating the pets of the people that live there." But city officials have told BBC Verify there have been "no credible reports" that this has actually happened. The baseless claim had spread on social media, with Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance promoting it on X. As of Wednesday, the post has had more than 11 million views. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Vance's comments "dangerous" and a "conspiracy theory... based on an element of racism." It became so big that even Donald Trump repeated the lie during his first debate against Harris. The controversy began after right-wing users on social media found that 27-year-old Allexis Telia Ferrell had been charged with animal cruelty for injuring animals, violating companion animal protections, and disorderly conduct. Ferrell allegedly killed a cat by stomping on its head and then consumed the animal in front of witnesses on 16th August, as reported by Fox News. The incident happened in Canton, Ohio, where police confirmed Ferrell's arrest. She allegedly carried out the act in a residential area, shocking neighbours. Despite Ferrell being in the U.S. for several years, conservative social media accounts quickly linked the event to immigration, particularly from Haiti. One post said, "When you let a 3rd world country into your country, you become a 3rd world country. Close the border and save our cats." Another post suggested, "If you like ducks or cats, Trump's your only choice in November. Otherwise, they're dinner for Kamala's illegal Haitians." The Springfield Police Division stated on Monday morning that they had no reports of pets being stolen and eaten. The police were aware of the social media claims but said, "This is not something that's on our radar right now." At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.

Why Taylor Swift used Benjamin Button to endorse Kamala Harris | World News - Times of India

There's a Hindi saying that goes: Der aaye durust aaye, meaning "better late than never." For a long time, many expected Taylor Swift to endorse the Democrats. It was predicted even before Kamala Harris became the presidential nominee. Some in the MAGA crowd believed that during Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs would defeat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, and then Taylor Swift would not only get engaged to Chiefs player Travis Kelce but also announce their endorsement of Biden-Harris. The Chiefs did win in overtime, but neither an engagement nor an endorsement of Biden happened. Since then, much has changed, with Biden dropping out 75 days earlier and Harris becoming the Democratic nominee. Swift's endorsement for Harris did not come swiftly. Earlier speculation suggested that Swift had "low-key" endorsed Harris in an Instagram post, but it turned out to be just a silhouette of her backup dancer. There were also rumours that she would perform at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), but that never materialised either. Amidst all of this, a group calling themselves "Swifties for Trump" surfaced, though most of their posts appeared AI-generated. Trump even shared an AI-generated image of Taylor Swift supposedly endorsing him and added: "I accept." It wasn't quite the deepfake that the mainstream media labelled it, but it was, as Tim Walz put it, "weird." At the same time, another group, "Swifties4Kamala," began organising events in support of Harris. During one such event, legendary singer Carole King performed a short version of "Shake It Off," her favourite Swift song, and shared tips on door-to-door campaigning, drawing on her long history of political activism. Senator Elizabeth Warren praised the participants, saying, "You are resilient and know how to stand up to bullies. That's what the Harris campaign is all about -- standing up to bullies like Donald Trump." Other speakers included Representative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Representative Becca Balint of Vermont, and North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton. The much-anticipated endorsement from Swift finally came the night after a debate, in a message that could only be seen as a sharp rebuke of Trump and MAGA supporters. After watching the debate, Swift stated that a fake AI version of her endorsing Donald Trump had pushed her to speak out. She wrote: "It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth." She continued: "I've done my research, and I've made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first-time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it's much easier to vote early. I'll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story." Finally, she declared: "I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes, I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades." The sharpest jab came when she dubbed herself the "Childless Cat Lady," a clear retort to JD Vance, who had criticised single, childless women, a policy position that MAGA is doubling down on. Swift Rebuke for Vance JD Vance learned the hard way that "hell hath no fury like a Swiftie scorned" when his earlier comments about "childless cat ladies" resurfaced after Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris. In July 2021, Vance appeared on Fox News defending a speech he had given at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, where he criticised prominent Democratic leaders for being part of what he called the "childless left" and argued that they had "no physical commitment to the future of this country." Vance claimed, "Our country is effectively run by Democrats and corporate oligarchs, many of whom are childless cat ladies. They're unhappy with their own lives and choices, and they want the rest of the country to feel miserable too. Just look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC -- the entire future of the Democrats is in the hands of people without children. How does it make sense that we've entrusted the country to people who don't have a direct stake in it?" He went on to suggest that a "healthy ruling class" should prioritise electing people with children, who, in his view, had a more personal investment in the country's future. Swift's fans, commonly known as Swifties, were quick to respond to Vance's remarks. One Twitter user remarked, "Taylor Swift is a self-made billionaire who has donated to every city on her tour. JD Vance started a charity that didn't help a single drug addict." Another confidently added, "I can't f***** wait for the fallout from JD's 'cat lady' comments. Oh, it's coming." A third noted, "Taylor Swift would destroy JD Vance on the debate floor." The Story of Benjamin Button Taylor first met Benjamin on the set of the "ME!" music video and immediately adored him. The cat's handler described Benjamin as a "purr box" due to his constant purring, and after bonding with him, Taylor asked if she could adopt him. The handler confirmed that Benjamin was available, and Taylor knew she wanted to bring him home. Brendon Urie was equally charmed by Benjamin, and throughout the shoot, Taylor expressed how much she adored the kitten, often reflecting on how the video marked the first moment they met. Cats and Dogs Election A rumour being pushed by the MAGA crowd involves claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets. This false narrative, amplified by industrial-grade AI-generated memes, appears to have originated from the case of a woman arrested for allegedly killing and eating a cat. The controversy began after right-wing users on social media latched onto the arrest of 27-year-old Allexis Telia Ferrell, who was charged with animal cruelty. The charges included injuring animals, violating companion animal protections, and disorderly conduct. The lie was repeated by Trump during the debate as well. According to reports, Ferrell allegedly killed a cat by stomping on its head and then consuming it in front of several witnesses on August 16, as reported by Fox News. The incident took place in Canton, Ohio, where police confirmed her arrest. Neighbors in a residential area on 13th Street SE were horrified by the act. Despite the fact that Ferrell has been living in the U.S. for years, some conservative social media accounts were quick to connect the incident to immigration, particularly from Haiti. One post claimed, "When you let a 3rd world country into your country, you become a 3rd world country. Close the border and save our cats." Another read, "If you like ducks or cats, Trump's your only choice in November. Otherwise, they're dinner for Kamala's illegal Haitians." However, local law enforcement debunked the claims. The Springfield Police Division stated on Monday that they had received no reports of pets being stolen or eaten, emphasizing that the social media posts were not reflective of any ongoing concerns. "This is not something that's on our radar right now," said the police in response to the rumours circulating online. At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.

The Weekly Vine Edition 9: General Harris knocks out Donald Trump

Nirmalya Dutta's political and economic views vacillates from woke Leninist to Rand-Marxist to Keynesian-Friedmanite. He doesn't know what any of those terms mean. 9/11 is now inextricably linked with one of the most tragic days in modern human history -- an act of wanton violence that revealed the depths of our intolerance as a species. However, it wasn't always like this. Exactly 108 years before that fateful day, a football enthusiast in Chicago preached the opposite message, declaring: "I am proud to belong to a religion that has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation that has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and nations of the earth." This clarion call to tolerance remains just as important today, even when fanaticism seems to dominate the discourse. This intolerance was on full display during the first US presidential debate. In this week's edition, we also explore a fresh ripple in Indo-Bangladesh relations, Darth Vader becoming one with the Force, dadbod Wayne Rooney, and Making America Cat Again in this year's election. PS: In case you are planning a trip to Europe, here's are some dos and don'ts before applying for your Schengen Visa. General Harris wins Round 1 Debates are often uncomfortable. As a 12-year-old in boarding school, I participated in a debate where the motion was: "Today's schools force conformity and crush individuality." To this day, no one involved in the debate even knows what the topic meant, let alone know whether the motion won or lost. Thankfully, the first debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump wasn't that confusing. Before the debate, there were questions about which Harris would turn up: the one decimated by Gabbard or the one who destroyed Pence? It was definitely the latter. MAGA Republicans like Vivek Ramaswamy were quick to blame the format, calling it 3-on-1. Even the conservative New York Post -- while claiming the ABC moderators had a 'lighter touch' for Harris -- had to admit that the VP came out looking stronger. The Post wrote: "The 59-year-old Harris, meanwhile, delivered a far stronger appearance than the dismal showing by President Biden in June that stoked Democratic fears of a Trump landslide victory -- with the former prosecutor avoiding major gaffes and deflecting potentially damaging questions about her record and evolving stances on a range of major issues. The VP was helped by her opponent, who proved unable to resist when Harris used what she described as Trump's strategy of 'lies, grievances, and name-calling' against him." But it all boils down to whether voters will actually change their minds. A CNN poll found that 45% of debate watchers viewed Kamala Harris favourably, up from 39% before the debate, while 44% viewed her unfavourably. Donald Trump's favourability remained steady, with 39% rating him favourably and 51% unfavourably. Both candidates received similar confidence ratings in their ability to lead, with 54% of viewers expressing at least some confidence in both. Debate watchers slightly favoured Harris's plan for solving the country's problems over Trump's, 42% to 33%. The Weekly Vine Quip: Rep Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla) summed up the debate, when he wrote: "This debate was so bad, Nancy Pelosi is quietly working the phones to get Trump out of the race." Hilsa Woes "Ilish machher tirish kata, boal machher dari. Bhutto saheb bhikkha kore, Sheikh Mujib-er bari." (The hilsa has 30 bones, the wallago catfish has a beard, and Bhutto is begging at Sheikh Mujib's home.) Ilish (hilsa) holds such a significant place in Bengali cuisine that even anti-West Pakistan chants before Bangladesh's independence referenced the fish as they mocked Bhutto's impotence in front of their national father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sadly, Bangladesh's relationship with both its founding father and the nation that helped establish it has deteriorated since then. Like all younger siblings, Bangladesh seems to blame India for its recent troubles. The latest strain in the relationship emerged when the interim Bangladesh government announced they wouldn't export hilsa to India ahead of Durga Pujo. In 2023, around 3,950 tonnes of hilsa had been sent to India for the festive season, and there will be noticeable impacts due to the absence this year. Meanwhile, the Adani Group has written to the interim Bangladesh government requesting the payment of $800 million in receivables owed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board. The letter further urges the government to make timely payments. Given the current scenario, it seems unlikely that Indo-Bangladesh relations will thaw anytime soon -- not unlike the hilsa traditionally frozen before being sent to India for the festive season. The Weekly Vine Quip: "Love thy neighbour like thyself" might be a popular Biblical verse, but it's hard to do when you live in a neighbourhood like India's. Goodbye Dad From fraternal love, we turn to paternal affection, as we mourn the loss of cinema's best and worst dad: James Earl Jones. Jones voiced both Mufasa in The Lion King and Darth Vader in Star Wars, becoming the embodiment of both good and evil. Sadly, Lord Vader became one with the Force yesterday, but his voice will live on forever, thanks to AI. Prior to his death, Jones ensured that his voice would endure in future Star Wars projects. According to Vanity Fair (via Deadline), Jones signed over the rights to his archival voice work, allowing the Ukrainian startup Respeecher to use AI technology to recreate his voice for future appearances of Darth Vader, including in Disney Plus's Obi-Wan Kenobi. His voice may even appear in future Star Wars projects featuring Vader. Just as Anakin Skywalker became part-machine after losing the high ground, James Earl Jones' Darth Vader will live on thanks to machines. The Weekly Vine Quip: Eric Cantona once said: "Soon, science will not only slow the ageing of cells; it will fix them to a state where we become eternal." AI is making that possible, bit by bit. Dadbod Rooney A few years ago, the internet was obsessed with the ideal male body type, dubbed the 'dadbod' -- a man clearly fond of his pints and chip butties. That body type could easily describe Wayne Rooney, who recently appeared at Old Trafford and scored his first direct free-kick in years. What made it even more remarkable was the sight of his love handles peeking out from his sides, proving that a racehorse never forgets its tricks. Even more fascinating is the fact that this free-kick came exactly 20 years after his debut for the club, where he scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League -- a match that also featured a free-kick. Rooney may now resemble Cristiano Ronaldo's grandfather and may not have scored 900 goals, but he will forever remain a greater Manchester United legend than Ronaldo. The Weekly Vine Quip: The flesh might be overflowing, but the spirit is never weak. Make America Cat Again Not since ancient Egypt has the feline held such sway over a nation's fate. First, JD Vance's diatribe against childless cat ladies galvanised the base of single women supporting Harris. Then, the MAGA crowd became enamoured with a bizarre rumour claiming immigrants, particularly Haitians, were eating their neighbours' cats in Springfield, Ohio. Despite the Springfield Police denying the rumour, it sparked a flood of AI-generated "Cats for Trump" memes. However, the final word in this cat-themed election season came from Taylor Swift, who kept the world waiting before endorsing Harris-Walz. Referring to the fake AI endorsement for Trump, Taylor wrote on Instagram: "Recently, I was made aware that AI of 'me' falsely endorsing Donald Trump's presidential run was posted to his site. It really heightened my fears around AI and the dangers of misinformation. This brought me to the decision to be transparent about my voting plans. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election." She signed off the message with the moniker "childless cat lady," a term JD Vance had used to deride women without children.