Travis Kelce’s Dad, Ed Kelce Faces Intense Backlash from Taylor Swift Fans After Dropping a Strange Remark on the Latest Episode of New Heights with Jason Kelce

Ed Kelce’s Bizarre Taylor Swift Comment on New Heights Podcast Ignites Swiftie Fury, Leaving Travis and Jason Kelce Caught in the Crossfire

By Entertainment Scoop Staff | June 18, 2025

The New Heights podcast, hosted by NFL superstars Travis and Jason Kelce, is no stranger to the spotlight, especially since Travis Kelce’s high-profile romance with pop icon Taylor Swift began in 2023. But the latest episode, featuring a surprise appearance from the brothers’ father, Ed Kelce, has sent Swifties into a tailspin, with fans flooding social media to drag Ed for a bizarre comment about the Grammy-winning singer. The fallout has left Travis and Jason navigating a PR minefield, as the podcast’s loyal listeners clash with Swift’s fiercely protective fanbase.

The controversy erupted during Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, where Ed Kelce joined his sons for a lighthearted segment reminiscing about family tailgates and football fandom. Known for his candid, everyman charm, Ed veered off-script when the conversation turned to Travis’s relationship with Swift. In a moment that’s now gone viral, Ed quipped, “I told Travis, ‘Son, you’re dating a galactic superstar, but she’s gotta learn to grill a mean burger at the tailgate if she’s gonna hang with the Kelce clan!’” The comment, delivered with a chuckle, was met with an awkward pause from Travis and a quick subject change by Jason, but the damage was done.

Swifties, ever vigilant when it comes to their idol, took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam Ed’s remark as dismissive and outdated. “Taylor Swift is a 14-time Grammy winner who just reclaimed her entire music catalog, and Ed Kelce’s out here reducing her to a tailgate cook? DISRESPECTFUL,” one fan posted, racking up thousands of likes. Another wrote, “Ed’s comment is giving boomer energy. Taylor doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone, especially not at a BBQ. #SwiftiesUnite.” The hashtag #EdKelceApologize began trending within hours, with fans accusing Ed of undermining Swift’s accomplishments and implying she needs to conform to traditional gender roles.

The backlash didn’t stop at Ed. Some Swifties turned their ire on Travis and Jason, questioning why they didn’t immediately call out their father’s comment. “Travis is dating THE Taylor Swift, and he just sat there silent? Weak,” one user tweeted. Others criticized Jason for his role as co-host, with a viral post reading, “Jason’s usually the voice of reason on New Heights, but he fumbled this one. Protect Taylor at all costs!” The podcast’s official X account, typically a hub for football banter and Swiftie-sports crossover content, was inundated with demands for an apology, echoing a previous controversy when fans accused the show of exploiting Swift’s fame via a Wondery survey in April 2025.

For those familiar with New Heights, the Kelce family’s dynamic is a cornerstone of the show’s appeal. Ed and Donna Kelce have long been fan favorites, with Ed’s down-to-earth anecdotes about raising two NFL stars endearing him to listeners. His previous comments about Swift have been overwhelmingly positive, like when he praised her as “down-to-earth” and “charming” after meeting her in 2023, noting her habit of cleaning up suites during games. But this latest remark, intended as a playful jab, has struck a nerve with Swift’s fanbase, who are notoriously protective of her public image and quick to call out perceived slights.

The incident comes at a delicate time for New Heights, which has seen its audience skyrocket since Travis and Swift went public, with a reported 214% listener spike attributed to Swiftie interest. While Travis has often gushed about Swift on the podcast—calling her “incredible” and sharing sweet anecdotes—the show has faced scrutiny for leaning too heavily on their romance for clout. The Wondery survey backlash, which prompted the removal of Swift-related questions after fans called it “gross” and “exploitative,” serves as a cautionary tale. Ed’s comment has reignited these tensions, with some fans speculating that Swift, known for controlling her narrative, may disapprove of her name being fodder for controversy.

As of now, neither Travis, Jason, nor Ed has addressed the uproar, and the New Heights team has remained silent on social media. Industry insiders suggest the Kelces may need to tread carefully to avoid alienating Swifties, who have been a boon for the podcast’s success. “Swift’s fans are a force of nature,” says media analyst Rachel Brooks. “The Kelces need to acknowledge the misstep without doubling down, or risk losing the goodwill they’ve built with this audience.”

For Swifties, the incident is a reminder of their unwavering loyalty to Taylor, while for New Heights fans, it’s a test of the podcast’s ability to balance its football roots with its newfound pop culture relevance. Will Ed Kelce’s tailgate quip be a fleeting controversy, or will it leave a lasting dent in the Kelce-Swift saga? Only time—and perhaps a carefully worded podcast apology—will tell.