It is time for another edition of ‘You Can’t Say That’ – the franchise where we highlight something that you cannot say or do or think in America in 2024.
Today, we are looking at the case of country music superstar Zach Bryan, who made the very dumb mistake of getting on X after having a few too many drinks one night and letting the world know that he actually enjoys Kanye “Ye” West’s music more than – gasp! – Taylor Swift’s. The nerve.
Yes, the offending post was sent late last Tuesday, September 17, when he praised his favorite NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and said they were greater than the Kansas City Chiefs (i.e. the team Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce plays for). He then followed that up with another equation, in which he wrote “Kanye > Taylor.” He finished it off with, “Who’s with me?”
Well, Zach, the internet is not with you because you apparently are not allowed to make negative comments about Taylor Swift (though we do it on The Megyn Kelly Show all the time).
For those who are not familiar with the backstory, Taylor Swift and Kanye West have been feuding for more than 15 years after the rapper crashed the stage as Swift accepted a MTV VMA award in 2009. He said Beyoncé should have won. It was rude, and some people are not over it. There has been a whole back and forth between them ever since.
But the key factor to keep in mind is that Kanye West wore a MAGA hat and has some more recent questionable views when it comes to Jews. Taylor Swift, meanwhile, endorsed Kamala Harris because she is such a fan of Tim Walz’s LGBTQ policy. She loves to trans the children. That’s Taylor.
So, how dare you, Zach? You are supposed to be on Taylor’s side. You are supposed to be on Kamala Harris’ side. And if you’re not, you should have the instincts to keep it to yourself. It does seem like he learned this lesson right away as the Swifties came for him in short order.
The next morning, the country star tweeted: “[G]uys I love Taylor, was listening to TTPD [The Tortured Poets Department] last night and ‘thank you aimee’ came on and I drunkenly tweeted that about Kanye. If anyone took it serious please know I love both artists a lot and think we’re in a really beautiful time of music[.]”
The mea culpa was apparently not good enough because the hate continued, and he deactivated his X account. Oh how I miss real men.
And that wasn’t all. He also issued a profuse apology on his Instagram page spread over – count ’em – four lengthy Instagram Stories. Byran poured his heart out seemingly in an effort to stop the Swiftie mob from their hideous attacks. Look at this one:
He wrote: “[F]or the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong. I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically. I love Taylor’s music and pray you guys know I’m human and tweet stupid things often. Hope one day I can explain this to her. Twitter gets in trouble too much and I’d say it’s best I stay off it. I’m sorry to any Taylor fans I pissed off or let down. I love you guys and I’m trying my best!”
I have secondhand embarrassment. Bring back our men!
Again, he wasn’t done. He continued: “I’ve been going through a hard time in my own life and I think I was projecting a little. To be completely honest, it just came off as rude and desensitized to Taylor. I respect her so much as a musician that the last think I want is people thinking I don’t appreciate and love what she has done for music…”
He closed it out with a warning “Don’t drink and tweet!!”
I’m sorry, Zach Bryan, where are your balls? Mankind would like to know. That is the lesson? “Don’t drink and tweet.” Sure.
Here’s another lesson: If you are thinking of daring to say you prefer someone else’s music – especially somebody who has endorsed Trump – to Taylor Swift’s, well, you can’t say that. Oh wait, this is America.
You can check out Megyn’s full analysis by tuning in to episode 898 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.