Outspoken podcast host Megyn Kelly has called for a boycott of pop superstar Taylor Swift after the singer attended a fundraiser that provided aid to people in Gaza. Swift, who was recently named Time’s “Person of the Year” for her highly successful “Eras Tour,” lent her star power to the event organized by stand-up comedian Ramy Youssef. The show, titled “More Feelings,” took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday and aimed to raise money for humanitarian relief in Gaza as Israeli troops continue to clash with Hamas in the region.
The event, which was attended by celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoë Kravitz, and Cara Delevingne, raised money for the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). However, this has drawn criticism, with Kelly and her guest Andrew Klavan accusing ANERA of being “highly political” and “highly biased.” They claim that the organization presents a one-sided view of the Israel-Palestine conflict and contributes to the demonization of Israel.
Kelly went on to say that Swift owes an apology to Israeli and Jewish Americans for attending the fundraiser. “I hope they boycott her events until she issues it because attending this thing was wrong,” she said on her podcast, “The Megyn Kelly Show.” She added that she wants Swift to be held accountable for her actions and that the singer should “shut up and sing.”
Klavan echoed Kelly’s sentiments, saying he doubts Swift will face any backlash because of her popularity. He also expressed that he doesn’t turn to pop stars for political wisdom and wishes they would stick to their music.
“Taylor Swift owes Israelis and Jewish Americans an apology… She clearly knows nothing.” @MegynKelly slams Taylor Swift for attending a fundraiser in support of Gaza. Subscribe and watch the FULL show – https://t.co/3ouKFlSZuF pic.twitter.com/KGIdOULBNF
— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) December 12, 2023
While Kelly’s comments sparked a debate online, many of Swift’s loyal fans came to her defense. They argued that the singer was simply attending a comedy show and that the credit for donating to Gaza should go to Youssef, not Swift. They also pointed out that other A-listers who attended the event have not faced the same criticism as Swift.
Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine, has not yet responded to requests for comment on Kelly’s comments. Youssef, on the other hand, took to Instagram to thank everyone who attended the show and contributed to the cause. He also mentioned that he plans to take his tour to other countries, including France, Norway, Denmark, and Germany, in early 2022.
It remains to be seen if Swift will respond to the backlash or if it will affect her popularity and future events. While some may agree with Kelly’s call for a boycott, others argue that it was unfair to single out one celebrity for attending the fundraiser. As the debate continues online, it is clear that Swift’s actions have sparked heated discussions on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of celebrities in political matters.
