Blowback: “an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions.” Dating back to 1954 (per Merriam-Webster), it basically describes unintended consequences that have the opposite effect that one was trying to achieve. A good example (M-W again) is that horrendous Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which has had the unintended effect of boosting abortion rights and electing pro-choice politicians in many states (one can argue whether the increase in medical emergencies was an intended effect, though the panic among women probably was).
Another example, I submit, is the right wing noise machine’s absolute terror over Taylor Swift’s upcoming endorsement of President Biden for reelection.
The NYT Critic’s Notebook made this suggestion explicit: Fox News Suddenly Wants Celebrities Out of Politics. Well, One Celebrity.
Another celebrity principle may apply here, however: The Streisand Effect. Just as Barbra Streisand’s attempt to suppress photos of her home only drew more attention to them, Fox’s opposition could magnify any Swift endorsement. It could even create blowback if it manages to turn the perception of the story into the G.O.P. vs. the Swifties, conservative scolds against a wildly popular millennial woman, Red America vs. “Red (Taylor’s Version)” America. [emphasis added]
Much of the piece is about Fox’s hypocrisy in blasting Swift for getting into politics while pushing other celebrities to do the same when Fox agrees with their politics — using a one-time TV celebrity famous mainly for “firing” people on his show as the prime example.
And let’s not forget that Fox was instrumental in the entry into politics of a certain TV celebrity, whom you might know better as the candidate Mr. Biden will likely be running against.
This isn’t another diary about how Taylor Swift is driving MAGA insane. For that, check out this diary —Tangerine Palpatine threatens "Holy war" on Taylor Swift: Threats is how he gets "support"— and this story — Fox News to Taylor Swift: ‘Don’t Get Involved in Politics!’ — and also this one — Pentagon confirms Taylor Swift is not being used for covert deep state operations. How the Pentagon spokesperson managed to keep a straight face remains a mystery.
The point here is that Fox and the other MAGA enablers have badly miscalculated; far from diminishing the impact of a Swift endorsement will have the opposite effect. (We can reasonably assume she will endorse President Biden; she did it before.) It will amplify that endorsement and make it all the more significant. The same goes for her campaign to get her fan base to register and vote.
Nor will it intimidate her into withholding that endorsement, if that’s what they’re thinking. This is a woman who routinely gets up on stage in front of millions (no, not all at one time) to give live performances that have made her one of the best known and most watched people in the world. If she can handle that, she can handle Fox.
Or maybe Fox didn’t miscalculate. Maybe this is a deep fake deep state plot to weaken Trump while appearing to be on his side. Who knows?