Senators repeatedly quoted Taylor Swift lyrics during hearing & fans can’t handle it

Swifties across the Internet collectively cringed watching United States Senators quote Taylor Swift lyrics during a hearing regarding alleged anti-trust violations by Ticketmaster owner Live Nation.

The hearing was partly fueled by the chaos that ensued as millions of people attempted to purchase presale tickets for Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour through Ticketmaster but were met with a slew of tech issues.

Throughout the hearing, Senators leaned into the situation with many shoutouts to the fans they knew were paying attention. Some of these shoutouts included quoting her song lyrics. Many ruthlessly mocked the situation on Twitter, with some pointing out that it didn’t feel like the lawmakers were taking the situation seriously enough.

Get the Daily Brief The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you.

Even the Senate Judiciary Committee itself tweeted a Taylor Swift reference Tuesday morning. “…Ready for it?” was all it said, a reference to Swift’s song of the same name, along with a retweet from Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announcing that the hearing would be that morning.

AdBridg.cmd.push(function() { AdBridg.display("div-gpt-ad-inarticle2"); });

…Ready for it? https://t.co/2VKebUW7rT

— Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) January 24, 2023

And that was only the beginning.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) stated that “Ticketmaster ought to look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m the problem it’s me,'” a reference to Taylor Swift’s recent hit, “Anti-Hero,” in which she sings, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me…I stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror.”

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) seemed to have the most fun, making multiple references to Swift’s lyrics.

When discussing Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as the  Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights – Lee stated that he had hoped to “get the gavel back” but that “‘she’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers,'” a lyric from Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”

Lee also called someone’s ability to resell a ticket “a nightmare dressed like a daydream,” a lyric from Swift’s hit, “Blank Space.”

He also quoted “Karma,” from Swift’s most recent album, Midnights, with what he clearly believed was quite the zinger. “Karma’s a relaxing thought,” he declared, quoting Swift. “Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not? That’s all I’ve got to say.”

@inbluejaywayy

Senators has been quoting taylor several times during the Ticketmaster hearing lmao @taylorswift #swifttok #taylorswift

♬ Karma – Taylor Swift

Klobuchar got in on the fun as well.

AdBridg.cmd.push(function() { AdBridg.display("div-gpt-ad-inarticle3"); });

“You can’t have too much consolidation,” she said, “something that unfortunately for this country, as an ode to Taylor Swift, I will say we know ‘all too well.'”

“All Too Well” is one of Taylor Swift’s most well-known songs.

Senators making Taylor Swift references at the Ticketmaster hearing. pic.twitter.com/e8mBZUrmSe

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 24, 2023

Across Twitter, fans didn’t know what to make of it all. Some were angry that they weren’t being serious enough.

This is not only cringe but makes it seem like they aren’t taking this seriously. If you don’t care, then don’t waste time acting like you will change it

— Corey (@c_j_23_) January 24, 2023

They’re literally making fun of a dire situation and people are blind to it. I get it but what resolution are swifties getting? It’s been a LONG time for @taylorswift13 and we know she sells well and people know her but this is about her fans and scams.

— Canadian Wh*re (@itsyourfavgay) January 25, 2023

Congress- great at theatrics while ignoring the plight of Americans.

— PeaceLove ☮️