Rachel Maddow surprised Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz during a live TV interview right after the presidential debate Tuesday night to drop some breaking news : Taylor Swift is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
The Minnesota governor joined MSNBC on air and was reacting to Harris' first presidential debate between her and former Republican President Donald Trump when he learned the news.
"While we have been talking somebody just handed me something," Maddow told Walz. "I don't think you know about this but this was just posted online by a woman you might of heard of whose name is Taylor Swift."
Maddow then read the statement Swift had just shared on her Instagram account along with a picture of her holding Benjamin Button, one of her three cats.
"I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," Swift wrote in the post, signed "Childless Cat Lady."
When Maddow read those words, Walz put one hand to his heart, tapped it twice and smiled big.
Taylor Swift's response to debate? She quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president
Tim Walz is wowed
Maddow then asked Walz for a response to the endorsement.
He immediately mouthed "wow."
"I am incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift, and I say that as a cat owner." Walz told Maddow, relaying his thoughts: "That was eloquent, and it was clear and that’s the type of courage we need in America to stand up.”
The governor then encouraged “Swifties” (AKA Swift fans) to visit Harris’s website to learn more about the candidate and the Democratic campaign.
Swift wrote in part Tuesday: "I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them," the singer captioned of a photo of her with her cat after the debate wrapped. "I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades."
Reaction to 'delightful' moment
Viewers immediately took to social media to express their thoughts on Maddow sharing the news and Walz's reaction.
"Maddow is informing Tim Walz right now that Taylor Swift has endorsed Harris/Walz. This is delightful," a person posted on X.
"brought to genuine tears just now by rachel maddow reading taylor swift’s endorsement on air to confirmed swiftie tim waltz," another person posted.
"Rachel Maddow getting to be the one to read Taylor Swift’s endorsement to Tim Walz and getting to see his joy live is closest I’ll ever get to seeing how I react to new Taylor’s Versions," another X user posted.
Who won the debate? Harris' forceful performance rattles a defensive Trump.
During Swift's 18-year career, she has publicly endorsed three candidates, including Biden in the 2020 race for president .
Within an hour of posting her Harris endorsement, more than 3 million people had liked the post including other celebrities. As of Wednesday morning, that number had shot to nearly 8 million approvals.
Contributing: Anika Reed
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rachel Maddow interrupts Tim Walz with Taylor Swift endorsement. See his reaction.
Local News
