Former FBI Director James Comey raised eyebrows over the weekend after he posted a lengthy video on his Substack, in which he mixed political commentary with his admiration for pop superstar Taylor Swift.
Wearing a suit and tie, Comey began his remarks about his recent bout with COVID-19 before turning to politics: “Donald Trump is still president and still humiliating America on a national stage … It’s like a dream, a bad dream you can’t wake up from.”
However, instead of dwelling on Trump, Comey shifted gears to talk about Swift, calling her “a truly inspirational public figure.”
Comey recounted attending multiple Swift concerts over the years, joining a family “Swiftie group chat,” and listening to her music while mowing the lawn. He named “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” and “Exile” among his favorite songs.
This is not parody. This is former FBI director James Comey. After using his power for years to entrap Trump, Flynn and others, he tries now to come across as a normal guy, a Taylor Swift fan, and a champion of civility and decorum. I’d love to see this sociopath locked up. pic.twitter.com/DD6Jqxq2jh
— Dinesh D’Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 17, 2025
“Taylor Swift has grown up with my family and provided us a soundtrack … she had songs for all of it,” Comey said, adding that her career modeled a way of “dealing with adversity without letting bullies define you.”
He contrasted Swift’s attitude toward internet trolls with what he sees as a toxic political climate fueled by Trump.
“Like a lot of you, I struggle with how to stand up to bullies without letting their meanness infect me,” Comey said.
At one point, Comey quoted Swift’s 2010 song “Mean.”
“Why you gotta be so mean?” he asked before saying the lyrics reflect his desire not to give “jerks” power over his mindset.
Comey accused Trump of coarsening U.S. politics and described him as “our elderly makeup-covered president posting about whether Taylor Swift is still hot.” He argued that Swift’s approach of focusing on her art and refusing to empower critics should be a model for Americans facing political division.
“She’s made clear that she sees Donald Trump for what he is,” Comey said. “Last year, she urged Americans not to make the serious mistake of electing him. Of course, we’re now living with the consequences of that mistake.”
Comey’s video drew ridicule from conservatives online. Commentator Dinesh D’Souza accused him of trying to rebrand as “a normal guy, a Taylor Swift fan, and a champion of civility” despite his role in what critics believe was FBI overreach.
Others mocked Comey’s mixing of his love for Swift’s music with partisan commentary.
The video is the latest in a series of controversial posts from Comey. Earlier this year, he deleted an Instagram photo of seashells spelling “8647” after critics said it referenced assassinating Trump. Comey insisted he was unaware of the slang meaning of “86” and denied any violent intent.
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The Secret Service confirmed it investigated the incident, underscoring tensions between Comey and Trump’s camp.
Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, has been a frequent critic of the president ever since. His daughter, Maurene Comey, was also dismissed this summer from her role as a federal prosecutor in what many viewed as a politically motivated move.