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Like many Americans, he was astounded.
It had really, actually happened.
In shock, he sought an outlet for all his frenetic energy.
I felt like I had to do something, so I just hopped on Twitter and made the tweet.
Emerald Medrano.
Like if we dont want democracy to end we really need to move and push blue votes.
His message was the kind of off-handed text a person might send to a group chat.
But Medrano is a Swiftie and has been since 2017.
They launched social media profiles, starting with Twitter, and gained 40,000 followers overnight.
Taylor Swiftthe artist who brought the legion of motivated fans to the causewas totally, completely, uninvolved.
And her silence was loud.
Irene Kim.
As of press time, Swift has not been in contact with any members of the group.
She hasnt even acknowledged their existence.
We havent heard from Taylor yet, unfortunately, Medrano said.
Signed, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.
Are the Swiftiesthelargest fandomin Americamore powerful than Taylor Swift?
After Biden put forth his VP as the Democratic partys presumptive nominee, the campaign was reinvigorated.
Kamala Harrisfell out of a coconut treeand right into the presidential race.
Harris was Americas favorite meme and the subject of an avalanche of fancam videos.
On the internet, Harris was inescapable.
And for a time, the internet felt like the only battleground that mattered.
But the Swifties movement was unique among the more traditional voter subsets in America.
They erupted at the unlikely intersection of fandom culture and identity politics.
Swifties as an identity group?
Surely their interests are too diverse to be rolled into one political ideology?
I think the comfort of Swifties has made me able to [get involved in politics].
It feels more genuine for me to have a political organization in the space where I feel comforted.
He came for her bestie….
But since her pivotal post six years ago, Swift has remained largely removed from the political scene.
She chooses her wordsand when to say themcarefully.
She has not gone out of her way to befriend politicians or become a surrogate on any campaign trails.
She says her piece, and then she goes home.
So the fans filled the void.
Part of the appeal of Swifties 4 Kamala movement is its grassroots feel, its lack of sheen.
Kim, 29, is a freelance video producer who got involved after coming across Medranos tweet.
To hear her tell it, the group adopted aLegally Blondeesque what, like its hard?
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They took it as a compliment.
Were not industry plants.
Swifties 4 Kamala seems to signal a new frontier for political activism.
Could their momentum be replicated by, say, theSelenators?
What about sports fans?
I’m Korean American.
Why not Korean Americans for Harris?
Swifties are actually my main community when I think about it, who I interact with the most.
I think for a lot of people its the same way.
I dont think theres a day I dont talk to a Swiftie or interact with one in some way.
Ali Myers, S4Ks Discord director, is similarly entrenched in the Swiftie social life.
The 25-year-old, who is disabled, has been a fan for more than half of her life.
I really found a lot of solace in listening to Taylors music, she says.
Myerss love for Swifts music was a gateway to something much more profound.
The Swiftie community, largely cultivated online, became something of a second family.
During her teen years, Myers was especially active on Tumblr, where she bonded with fellow Swifties.
One even became her best friend, despite living across the country.
We all come from different backgrounds, but we all have sort of the same philosophy.
For many Swifties, Taylor Swift is not just a musician but a role model.
She thinks things through so clearly and tries to make them fun at the same time.
Thats the mindset, at least for me, that Ive applied to Swifties 4 Kamala.
Taylor Swift is the eldest daughter for eldest daughters.
The 36-year-old is a mother to a toddler and a full-time communications coordinator for a progressive political organization.
Shes not at all surprised by S4Ks successes.
Swifties really know how to hit the marks, she says.
Theyre so organized and the community is so strong.
In the end, Swifties 4 Kamala didnt need Taylor Swift to make their mark.
Though, as Glick Pulito notes, Shes always welcome to show up at our party.
Maybe one day she will.
Swifts philosophy is simply the blueprint.
