Kanye West has reopened his long-standing feud with Taylor Swift, this time alleging that their infamous 2009 MTV VMA clash is one of the reasons he’s never performed at the Super Bowl.
In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), West pointed to three major incidents in his career that he believes have kept him off the NFL’s biggest stage: his controversial “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people” remark during a Hurricane Katrina telethon, his public endorsement of Donald Trump via the red MAGA hat, and what he referred to as the “Taylor Swift moment.”
That “moment” refers to the 2009 VMAs, when West stormed the stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, declaring Beyoncé should have won instead. The incident sparked one of the most talked-about pop culture feuds of the decade.
Kanye’s Super Bowl Frustration
West’s frustration over being excluded from Super Bowl halftime performances appears to run deep. In his now-deleted post, he positioned himself as a misunderstood visionary who has been culturally “banned” due to controversial moments—several of which were self-inflicted.
The rapper also referenced his polarizing political affiliations, including his high-profile visit to the White House in a MAGA hat, and his antisemitic remarks that sparked widespread backlash in recent years. He suggested these events happened after he was already shut out of major platforms like the Super Bowl, implying he was a target of cultural censorship.
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Revisiting the Taylor Swift Feud
The mention of Swift has reignited interest in their rocky history. After the 2009 VMAs, the feud went quiet for a few years—until 2016, when Kanye released the track “Famous,” in which he referred to Swift as a “bitch” and claimed he made her famous. Swift’s camp responded by clarifying that she never approved the derogatory lyric, despite Kanye suggesting otherwise.
Since then, their relationship has remained frosty, with the two offering contradictory versions of events behind the scenes. Kanye’s latest post suggests he views that infamous clash as a defining moment that damaged his public image—and, in his view, cost him career-defining opportunities.
NFL Likely Unmoved by Kanye’s Claims
Despite West’s attempt to pin some of the blame on Swift, insiders and fans alike point to his more recent string of controversies as the likely reason for the NFL keeping its distance. The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most-watched events globally, and the NFL has increasingly steered clear of artists who might spark controversy or alienate audiences.
Taylor Swift Responds With Silence
Swift has not responded publicly to Kanye’s comments—and given her track record, she likely won’t. Known for handling drama with poise, her silence often speaks louder than any statement. While West continues to frame himself as a cultural outcast, Swift has remained focused on her wildly successful Eras Tour and recently announced upcoming projects.
