Global music sensation Taylor Swift finds herself at the center of a unique controversy that intertwines her celebrity status with suspicions of being a potential Pentagon “psy-op asset.”
This unexpected development comes as the University of the Philippines (UP) prepares to offer a course digging into the intricacies of Swift’s fame, further fueling speculations about her alleged ties to the United States Security State.
The revelation about Swift’s potential connection to the Pentagon was not initially brought to light by tabloids or fringe outlets but rather by Fox News, where host Jesse Watters pondered the singer’s meteoric rise to global stardom.
“Around four years ago. The Pentagon psychological operations unit floated turning Taylor Swift into an asset during a NATO meeting ” Watters said in his usual monologue.
Watters went beyond mere speculation, referencing a past NATO meeting where the Pentagon’s psychological operations unit discussed the idea of utilizing Swift as a tool to combat online misinformation.
“What kind of asset? A psy-op for combating online misinformation,” he added.
Watters stood by his claims, highlighting a NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATOCCDCOE) footage that mentioned Swift in the context of her substantial online influence.
Anticipating potential widespread mockery and accusations of propagating conspiracy theories, Watters strengthened his suspicions by citing the Pentagon’s historical use of celebrities for propaganda purposes.
However, the US Department of Defense swiftly dismissed these allegations, with Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh delivering a tongue-in-cheek statement to Politico.
“As for this conspiracy theory, we are going to shake it off,” Singh said, cleverly referencing one of Swift’s chart-topping hits.
Nevertheless, she seized the opportunity to pivot to a more serious note, emphasizing the need for Congress to approve the Pentagon’s supplemental budget request.
Whether Swift is a Pentagon asset or not, the undeniable influence she wields in shaping global culture has led the UP System to introduce a course titled “Celebrity Studies: Taylor Swift in Focus.”
Joining the ranks of prestigious institutions like Harvard, Berklee College of Music, Stanford University, and New York University, UP aims to dissect the multifaceted aspects of Swift’s celebrity.
Professor Cherish Aileen Brillon, the mastermind behind the course, shed light on its objectives.
In an interview with PhilStar, Brillon, a self-confessed Swiftie, explained that the class would explore the Filipino Swifties’ response to Swift’s fame, digging into popular culture moments in the Philippines related to the artist.
Brillon conveyed her aspiration to examine fandom through an academic lens, integrating components of celebrity studies, gender discourse, and political economy.
“Her songs are about love and hate and relationships. But her celebrity status is also as important to look into and dissect,” Brillon said.
The focal point of the course, according to Brillon, will be an in-depth analysis of how media has depicted Swift as a celebrity, while also exploring Filipinos’ perceptions and “appropriation” of her status as a “transnational” icon.
Despite the academic endeavor, Filipino netizens have voiced dissent, criticizing the allocation of taxpayers’ money for what they perceive as a frivolous pursuit.
“Utang na loob bukod sa walang kwentang course baka ma-Spotify lang ang UP ni Taylor Swift,” verified X user AC Nixon commented.
“I’m a fan of Taylor but this is a total waste of time!” Said Kitty Rodriguez.
“C’mon Philippines, even you? Stop pandering to the cult of Swift,” another netizen said.
The Daily Netizen 