President Donald Trump has weighed in on the engagement of NFL superstar Travis Kelce and global music icon Taylor Swift, marking a notable change in tone after his earlier criticism of the couple in the wake of this year’s Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the chart-topping singer-songwriter, who began dating publicly in 2023, announced their engagement this week, drawing reactions from across the political, sporting, and entertainment worlds. Swift shared the news with her more than 280 million Instagram followers on Tuesday, writing, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” Within hours, her post attracted more than 27 million likes, underscoring the global fascination with the couple’s high-profile romance.
The engagement quickly became one of the most discussed stories online, eclipsing even major political headlines. For Trump, whose relationship with both celebrity culture and sports has often been contentious, the announcement offered an opportunity to recalibrate his stance.
Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting at the White House, the President was asked about the engagement. Rather than reiterating his prior criticisms, Trump offered a surprisingly warm response.
“Well, I wish them a lot of luck,” he said. “I think he’s a great player. I think he’s a great guy and I think that she’s a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.”
The remarks were striking given Trump’s history of taking shots at Swift and, more recently, her relationship with Kelce. During the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, Swift appeared on the big screen at the Caesars Superdome and was met with a mix of cheers and boos. Trump seized on the moment, using it as fodder for social media commentary.
“The only one that had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift,” Trump posted at the time. “She got BOOED out of the Stadium. MAGA is very unforgiving!”
The comment was one in a long line of Trump’s pointed remarks about Swift, who has in recent years used her platform to support progressive political causes and voter registration campaigns. For Trump’s critics, his Super Bowl jab was emblematic of his tendency to target cultural figures who do not align with him politically.
Yet his response to the couple’s engagement suggests a recognition of the cultural moment and perhaps a strategic pivot. Public affection for Swift and Kelce has transcended typical celebrity gossip. Swift’s presence at Chiefs games last season not only dominated headlines but also drew legions of her fans, known as “Swifties,” into the world of professional football. The crossover of audiences created a unique cultural phenomenon that sports analysts, marketers, and political observers alike have noted with interest.
The engagement has only amplified this attention. Athletes, entertainers, and political figures have offered their congratulations, with speculation already swirling about the scale and spectacle of the eventual wedding. For Trump, publicly offering well wishes may serve to avoid appearing out of step with a moment that is capturing widespread public joy.
Still, the contrast between Trump’s past digs and his current conciliatory tone has not gone unnoticed. Political commentators argue that his softened remarks may reflect a tactical effort to avoid alienating younger voters, particularly women, who overwhelmingly make up Swift’s fan base. Others suggest that his words could simply be an acknowledgment of Kelce’s stature as one of the NFL’s most accomplished players, with three Super Bowl rings to his name and a career that has helped define an era for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Swift, for her part, has not publicly addressed Trump’s past criticism, instead remaining focused on her music, philanthropy, and relationship. The singer’s 2023–24 Eras Tour was one of the most lucrative tours in music history, breaking records across multiple continents. Her engagement to Kelce represents yet another chapter in her status as one of the most influential cultural figures of her generation.
For Kelce, the engagement caps off a remarkable period both personally and professionally. Fresh off another Super Bowl victory, his high-profile relationship with Swift has elevated him beyond sports pages and into global entertainment media. Together, the pair have become one of the most talked-about couples in the world, often compared to earlier pop culture power couples such as David and Victoria Beckham.
As congratulations continue to pour in, Trump’s remarks are likely to be dissected for what they reveal about his evolving approach to cultural flashpoints. Whether his softened stance signals a lasting change or simply a momentary shift remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the Swift-Kelce engagement has transcended the realm of celebrity gossip to become a story with political, cultural, and even electoral implications. And in responding with uncharacteristic restraint, Trump has signaled that even he cannot ignore the power of a love story captivating millions.
