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Vice President JD Vance has a bizarre take on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement.
While the former Ohio senator congratulated the happy couple, he also amplified a conspiracy theory regarding Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Vance, a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, suggested that the NFL could favor the Chiefs because of Swift’s popularity.
- VP JD Vance congratulated Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce but suggested the NFL might favor the Kansas City Chiefs due to Swift’s popularity.
- Vance also expressed concerns over the possibility of a Super Bowl wedding.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell previously called Chiefs favoritism conspiracy theories “ridiculous” and emphasized officiating standards.
JD Vance has some concerns over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement
Image credits: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
“I will say as a football fan – as a Cincinnati Bengals fan − I hope that the NFL does not put a thumb on the scale for the Kansas City Chiefs just because Travis Kelce is now getting married to maybe the most famous woman in the world,” Vance told USA Today.
“You guys can’t sort of have this, I’m worried they’re going to have a Super Bowl wedding thing this season,” he added. “Can’t do it. The Kansas City Chiefs have to follow the same rules as everybody else.”
“So if we see the refs being particularly friendly to Kansas City Chiefs players, then I think all football fans should be willing to push back on the NFL and say, ‘Look, you guys got to be fair. Just because Travis is getting married to Taylor, you still can’t put your thumb on the scale for the Kansas City Chiefs.’”
Image credits: Ed Mulholland/Getty Images
His comments are similar to unproven conspiracy theories that the Chiefs have games rigged by the NFL in their favor.
Those accusations were amplified further when the Chiefs won consecutive Super Bowls in 2023 and 2024.
Ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl, which the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, officials were forced to address the rumors.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press conference that the bias claims were “ridiculous.”
“A lot of those theories happen in social media and they have a new life … I understand it, I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion,” Goodell said. “I think it’s also a reminder of how important officiating is.”
In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, Vice President JD Vance congratulated Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their engagement. But he hopes the NFL stays fair to his team, the Cincinnati Bengals. pic.twitter.com/bPKVaxCaft
— USA TODAY Politics (@usatodayDC) August 27, 2025
“I think the men and women officiating the NFL are outstanding. We have the highest possible standards. It’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously,” he added.
“But at the end of the day, it’s something we have to work at, how do we make our officiating better?”
A day after the press conference, the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) released its own statement agreeing with Goodell’s comments.
“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL Officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on,” NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green said.
Theories that the NFL favors the Chiefs have been strongly condemned
Image credits: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
“Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.”
Despite his concerns, Vance did wish Kelce and Swift all the best.
“I’m a romantic when I see two people who are in love getting married,” Vance said.
“I just wish ’em the best, and I congratulate ’em, and I hope they have a very long and healthy and happy life together.”
Image credits: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Swift, in her 2024 endorsement for presidential candidate Kamala Harris, referenced comments made by Vance in 2021 that resurfaced during the campaign.
In 2021, Vance described Democratic politicians as a “bunch of childless cat ladies with miserable lives.”
In her statement outlining why she was voting for Harris, Swift referenced those comments and signed off with “Childless Cat Lady.”
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