Taylor Swift fans showed up for McAuliffe in Virginia, but it wasn't enough

On Tuesday, The Daily Show With Trevor Noah correspondent Desi Lydic interviewed a group of Taylor Swift fans in Virginia to find out if they were the key to the state's gubernatorial race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin.

McAuliffe ran ads during his campaign targeting Swift fans and attacking Youngkin, because he was the CEO of The Carlyle Group, the private equity firm notorious for being involved with Scooter Braun in the purchase of Swift's master recordings.

It was a smart move on McAuliffe's part, as Swift has a huge fanbase. Who can forget when Swift inspired 65,000 of her fans to register to vote within 24 hours of posting on her Instagram in 2018?

"Could this new base of voters actually tip the scales in Virginia," asked Lydic.

One Swift fan, Molly, shared, "I'm originally from Texas, and the last three years in college, I voted in Texas, but I just knew that I couldn't just sit by and watch as Youngkin took Virginia. That's when I decided to change my voter registration." Another fan named Keirsten also shared, "I was in a weird college area as well, where I was voting in my home state, but now I am voting in Virginia because of this issue."

When Lydic asked the girls what they would say to boomers who say 14-year-old girls should stay out of politics, Nicole stated, "I think that's a weird stereotype of Taylor Swift fans. We're not 14 anymore. We're adults. We pay taxes and vote," while Molly asked, "Do you want to see my thesis paper about congressional legislation? I can show you that. Don't underestimate Swifties."

Unfortunately for the Swifties who showed out, on Tuesday it was reported that Youngkin defeated McAuliffe. But it's safe to say this isn't the last time we'll see political activism from Swift fans.

Video transcript

NICOLE: I think that's such a weird stereotype of Taylor Swift fans because we're not 14 anymore. We are adults. We pay taxes and we vote.

- Yeah, do you want to see my thesis paper about congressional legislation because I can show you that. Don't underestimate Swifties.

KYLIE MAR: On The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Tuesday night, correspondent Desi lydic interviewed a group of Taylor Swift fans in Virginia to find out if they were the key to the state's gubernatorial race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin. Could this new base of voters actually tip the scales in Virginia?

- I'm originally from Texas and the last three years in college I voted in Texas. But I just knew that I couldn't just sit by and watch as Youngkin took Virginia, and so that's when I decided to change my voter registration.

KYLIE MAR: During his campaign, McAuliffe ran ads targeting Swift fans, a.k.a. the Swifties, attacking Youngkin because he was the CEO of the Carlyle Group, the private equity firm notorious for being involved with Scooter Braun in the purchase of Swift's master recordings.

- One of the targeted ads reading, did you know that Republican candidate for governor Glenn Youngkin helped buy Taylor Swift's Masters out from under her?

KYLIE MAR: A smart move on McAuliffe's part as Swift has a huge fan base. Who can forget when Swift inspires 65,000 of her fans to register to vote within 24 hours of posting on her Instagram in 2018. Unfortunately, for the Swifties who showed out on Tuesday, it was reported that Youngkin defeated McAuliffe. But something tells me this isn't the last time we'll see political activism from Swift fans.

NICOLE: Just a couple of days ago Youngkin came out and said, you know, he loves everyone and when asked if that includes LGBTQ people he said, no.

- I'm very passionate about gun violence prevention.

SARAH: Climate change is going to be the biggest issue of our time. So those policies are super important. I'm an environmental engineer so this is life changing.