A North Texas man is making national headlines after destroying one of Taylor Swift’s guitars with a hammer immediately after buying it at an auction.
A video now circulating on social media depicts the man taking a hammer from another person helping the auctioneer before grabbing the signed guitar and bashing it. The guitar was designed to reflect the global pop star’s record-breaking Eras Tour and had been signed by Swift herself.
‘I thought it was a joke’: Video shows man buying, destroying Taylor Swift guitar
WFAA spoke to JD Cobb, who captured the act on video.
“I see the guy grab a hammer off the stage,” Cobb told WFAA. “When I started video-ing it, I thought it was a joke.”
The incident played out in Waxahachie on Saturday night at the Ellis County WildGame Dinner. The nonprofit organization hosts event dinners to raise funds for “agricultural and rural education to the youth of Ellis County,” according to the site’s mission statement.
Event spokesperson Craig Meier confirmed to WFAA that the now-destroyed guitar had been signed by Swift and purchased by the man for around $4,000. Swift had never used the guitar.
‘Lighthearted statement’ that ‘crowd thought was hilarious’
Although the man who bought and destroyed that guitar did not immediately disclose his motivation, the Ellis County WildGame Dinner spokesperson implied it may be related to Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris for president.
“It has been surprising to me how big of a deal people are making it out to be. It wasn’t meant to be mean or malicious,” Meier told WFAA. “He was just making a lighthearted statement showing disapproval of people in the entertainment industry trying to influence politics.”
The spokesperson also reported the immediate reaction was one of humor and referred back to the organization’s mission. Proceeds for the dinner went to the student organization Future Farmers of America (FFA).
“It was just a funny thing that happened at our annual event. The crowd thought it was hilarious,” Meier said in a statement. “The important thing is that 100% of the money raised goes directly to local youth and agricultural education programs. At the end of the day, the kids win and will benefit from this.”
See social media reactions to man smashing Taylor Swift guitar
Once the video had hit social media, however, the Ellis County incident drew criticism. Some wonder if this is what former president Donald Trump had in mind when he said Swift would “pay a price” for her endorsement of Harris.
“It was just a question of time. She couldn’t possibly endorse Biden. You look at Biden, you couldn’t possibly endorse him,” Trump said in an interview with “Fox & Friends,” clarifying that he is “not a Taylor Swift fan.” “But she’s a very liberal person. She seems to always endorse a Democrat. And she’ll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.”