Tim Walz wore Taylor Swift-inspired friendship bracelets during the vice president debate

Eagle-eyed spectators the vice presidential debate may have spotted a familiar Swiftie accessory on Tim Walz’s arm. The Democratic candidate wore two Taylor Swift-inspired friendship bracelets during his debate against Republican hopeful JD Vance, which were a gift from his daughter Hope.

After fans began posting photos of the bracelets online, Walz admitted that his 23-year-old daughter had given them to him. “Nothing is more important in my life than being a dad,” Walz wrote on X. “I’m grateful to Hope for the lucky charm before last night’s debate.”

The Harris-Walz campaign later confirmed at People that Hope gave the bracelets to her father just before he left for the debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York earlier this week. The bracelets read “Joyful Warrior” and “Coach,” both of which Walz has nicknamed since he joined Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail.

Walz also invoked Swift, who supported Harris for president, during the debate. “I’m as surprised as anyone about this coalition that Kamala Harris has built,” Walz said during his closing statement. “From Bernie Sanders to Dick Cheney to Taylor Swift, and everyone in between. And they don’t all agree on everything, but they’re really optimistic people. They believe in a positive future for this country and one in which our politics can be better than they are now.

Last month, following the debate between Harris and Donald Trump, Swift officially offered her support to the Harris-Walz ticket. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for rights and causes that I believe need a warrior to fight for,” Swift wrote on social media. “I think she is a strong and talented leader and I believe we can accomplish much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her choice of running mate @timwalz, who has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF and women’s rights to their own bodies for decades.

The singer added: “I did my research and made my choice. Your research is entirely yours and the choice is yours. I also want to say, especially to new voters: remember that to vote, you must be registered! I also find it much easier to vote early. I’ll let you know where to register and find early voting dates and information in my story.

Swift’s decision infuriated Trump, who posted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT” on Truth Social following her endorsement. He later said: “I wasn’t a Taylor Swift fan. It was just a matter of time. You couldn’t support Biden. But she’s a very liberal person, she always seems to support a Democrat – and she’ll probably pay the price for it in the market.”

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