Taylor Swift‘s reputation is being questioned ironically close to the Friday, Nov. 10 release date of her new album, Reputation. According to The Cut, the singer threatened legal action against a critic who linked Taylor’s music to white supremacy, but the ACLU of Northern California has since defended the article in question.
The trouble started when Taylor’s team came across an article written by Meghan Herning, titled, “Swiftly to the alt-right: Taylor subtly gets the lower case kkk in formation.” The piece, posted on culture blog PopFront, criticized Swift and her music, claiming that some white supremacists have embraced the singer. Taylor’s attorneys decided to take legal action, but the ACLU is fighting back.
A press release from the ACLU states that the writer “received an intimidating letter from Swift and her attorney, labeling the blog post as defamatory and demanding that she issue a retraction, remove the story from all media sources, and cease and desist.”
In the face of a possible lawsuit, Herning stood her ground rather than complying with the letter’s demands. She said in a statement, “The press should not be bullied by high-paid lawyers or frightened into submission by legal jargon. These scare tactics may have worked for Taylor in the past, but I am not backing down.”
The ACLU declared the article opinion-based, which deems it protected under the First Amendment. ACLU attorney Matt Cagle said Taylor’s request is unrealistic. “Intimidation tactics like these are unacceptable. Not in her wildest dreams can Ms. Swift use copyright law to suppress this exposure of a threat to constitutionally protected speech.”
In an artfully worded clapback, the ACLU sent a letter to Taylor’s attorney using the singer’s lyrics to make their point. “Criticism is never pleasant, but a celebrity has to shake it off, even if the critique may damage her reputation.”
The ACLU has no chill, but Taylor should focus on promoting her new album to the millions of fans who love her, rather than drawing attention to one critic who is practicing her freedom of speech.