Former FBI Director James Comey published a new post on his Substack over the weekend in which he discussed how pop singer Taylor Swift has inspired him — even helping him deal with President Donald Trump.
Comey Says Taylor Swift Inspires Him in Coping With Trump
In the five-minute video, Comey described himself as a longtime “Swiftie,” recalling that he first saw Swift perform live 15 years ago and later attended a second concert, even helping family members get tickets to others over the years.
“I’m in a family Swiftie group chat. I know all her music, and I listen to it on my headphones when I cut the grass,” he said. “So yes, I have a favorite of hers—although honestly, for me, it’s a tie between All Too Well (10 Minute Version) and Exile featuring Bon Iver.”
“Taylor Swift has grown up with my family and provided us a soundtrack, really, as we’ve grown ourselves and learned and adapted and dealt with adversity and celebration,” Comey added. “I think that’s because Taylor Swift produces great art, but also because she models something.”
He said Swift’s example influenced the way he tries to handle political conflict. “Like a lot of you, I struggle with how to stand up to bullies without letting their meanness infect me and change me,” he explained, adding that Swift shows “a certain way of being” that resonated with him.
Comey also criticized Trump directly, noting: “She’s made clear that she sees Donald Trump for what he is. And last year, she urged Americans not to make the serious mistake of electing him.”
He highlighted Swift’s advice on dealing with online trolls as something that personally resonated: “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. Think of it as a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.”
NEW: Former FBI Director and ‘Swiftie’ James Comey releases a 5-minute video talking about how Taylor Swift inspires him and how she helps him deal with Trump.
“At my second Taylor Swift concert in Hartford, CT, 14 years ago, she sang a song about this topic, asking…”
“Why… pic.twitter.com/DOYrn7wmbd
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 17, 2025
Conservative Reaction
Comey’s remarks quickly drew pushback from conservative commentators.
Benny Johnson called the video a “hostage video,” adding: “This time he calls himself a ‘Swiftie’ and says Taylor Swift helps him cope with Donald Trump. You really can’t make this up.”
Dinesh D’Souza suggested Comey was trying “to come across as a normal guy, a Taylor Swift fan, and a champion of civility and decorum” despite his past role in investigations involving Trump and his associates.
Background
Comey, who was dismissed as FBI director by Trump in 2017, has frequently clashed with the former president. Earlier this year, he faced criticism for posting a beach photo spelling “86 47” in seashells, which some interpreted as a call to remove the 47th president. He later deleted it.
Comey’s daughter Maurene Comey was removed from her role as a federal prosecutor in New York in July, a move widely reported as politically motivated.
