Toxic Masculinity and Taylor Swift

"No Longer Hot." "Go Home!" and other toxic masculinity things.

If you’ve somehow missed it, and have been living under a rock, Taylor Swift just dropped a major announcement on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast: she’s releasing her 12th album soon! In a quick 30-second teaser, she lit up the internet with her stunning orange lips and those sultry side glances at Travis (who, by the way, plays football?). I can’t wait for 6 PM CST tonight to catch the show with my 8-year-old Swiftie, my sister, and my niece. My two sisters and my mom are already bombarding each other’s phones with clips, Easter egg theories, and memes. This is the kind of content we need these days!

This announcement comes just days after the POTUS took to X (his go-to platform, right?) to say that Taylor Swift is “no longer hot.” Our POTUS is just the latest in a long line of T-Swift naysayers. There’s been a vocal group of didn’t-make-the-team meatheads grumbling about Taylor showing up at Travis's football games, claiming she’s “ruining football” every time the camera catches her cheering for her boyfriend.

Cue the tiny violin playing the world’s saddest tune.

This is toxic masculinity at its worst. It’s not just a trend; it's a political platform now. We’ve got leaders who can’t stand women. They speak up on national stages, spouting off the same tired nonsense. And it’s not just out there in the culture; it’s happening in the church too. Just look at prominent pastor and author John MacArthur, who told Beth Moore to “go home” in 2019.

When “powerful men” feel the need to publicly attack “powerful women,” there’s one common thread: jealousy. And let’s be real, it’s not a good look.

“Social clout” can come from social media followers, music awards, book sales, or even just having friends at the lunch table. Men who are jealous of women with more “social clout” than they have are the boys in elementary school who push girls off the slide at recess and yank their pigtails. It’s sad, it’s old news, and honestly, to everyone watching, it’s just plain embarrassing.

Travis and Jason Kelce are doing more than just racking up followers by supporting their girlfriend and friend, Taylor Swift. They’re redefining masculinity in a way we need right now. This morning, I showed my 10- and 12-year-old sons this clip of the Kelce brothers (my boys do not have social media!)

I asked them, “What do you see here?” and “Why do these big, athletic guys get so pumped about a girl singing pop songs in a sequined bodysuit?”

My oldest replied, “Because they love her. She’s their friend. And I guess she’s pretty awesome.”

Now, my boys aren’t exactly Taylor Swift fans—they roll their eyes at our obsession with her. But here’s the thing: they respect her. Travis and Jason are showing the world (just around hundreds of millions of views to back it up) how to respect greatness instead of being jealous of it. They’re making it clear that while she might look like a blonde Barbie doll, she is not to be toyed with. Jason starts by praising her incredible achievements as an artist, songwriter, producer, and director, and both Kelce brothers hype her up like the queen she is.

Men who know how to celebrate powerful women are secure and strong protectors. It's crucial for men to learn that being a “real man” means promoting, protecting, and empowering those around them to be their best selves. True masculinity is about sharing your power with those who have less. True masculinity is about celebrating greatness, not throwing a toddler tantrum about someone’s “hotness.” The Kelce brothers are setting the standard better than any “Christian” artist, pastor, or theologian I can think of. Honestly, as of today, they’re the best thing on the internet. If you haven’t subscribed, you can today ;) I’ll see you at 7PM CST.