Dave Portnoy of Barstool remains a highly controversial figure in the podcast and digital media world. After Insider published damning reports alleging Portnoy sexually assaulted women as young as 19 years old first emerged in 2021, the internet personality has continued to expand his brand of misogyny, hiding beneath the guise of being a Taylor Swift fan.
Now, the host is accusing Kim Kardashian of “sucking up” to Swift, years after the infamous phone call between Kardashian, her ex husband rapper Kanye West, and the singer. The disagreement between Swift and the couple was born from a misogynystic lyric from West’s track “Famous” that referenced her without her consent. Kardashian went on to claim that Swift went back on her word and that the rapper had asked her about it prior to its release, which Swift denied. The altercation sparked the inception of Swift’s “Reputation” album.
The accusation was born from Kardashian posting a photo of herself in a purple ballgown similar to the one Swift wears on her “Speak Now” album cover, paired with the title track.
“We all remember what you did with Kanye when you edited the footage and tried to make Taylor seem like a crazy liar,” Portnoy said. “Taylor went into hiding for basically a year because of these scumbags, so stop. We don’t want any part of you.”
Social Media Reactions
@bffspod Dave goes off on Kim Kardashian over her use of a @Taylor Swift SNTV song after what her and Kanye did to Taylor
Many agreed with Portnoy that Kardashian’s post was evidence of too little too late.
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@bffspod Dave goes off on Kim Kardashian over her use of a @Taylor Swift SNTV song after what her and Kanye did to Taylor
Others felt that while Portnoy is now rebranding as a Swiftie, it does not erase his troublesome past.
Mr. President, sir, Dave Portnoy is a Swiftie. Doesn’t seem to be a bit, sir. No. https://t.co/dSv1nvC9UV pic.twitter.com/gAOXUOiwEr
— willy 🌜💧 (@willystaley) May 26, 2023
Elsewhere, some feel that Portnoy’s recent Swiftie era is step one on his redemption tour.
Dave Portnoy being a massive swiftie is the funniest thing ever. I love it. The jacket?!?! The shirt?!?! PURE GOLD 💯😂 he’s just like us pic.twitter.com/SieySB7oXq
— Taylor | Eras Pittsburgh ✨ (@pghSwiftie) May 26, 2023
Dave Portnoy being a Swiftie is the best
— jenny from the block (@hersheyburger) August 24, 2023
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The allegations against Portnoy, first emerging two years ago, detailed one woman claiming she was assaulted, and another woman claiming that while the initial encounter was consensual, it was so disturbing it left her suicidal. The second woman’s mother attempted to bring legal action against Portnoy, only to be stopped by her daughter for fear of being “dragged through the mud.”
Portnoy and his colleagues have long made a slew of racist and misogynistic comments towards women and minorities in the company’s several podcasts. The media personality defended a coworker’s blackface and made a number of racially insensitive comments about former NFL 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Since this sequence of events, Portnoy’s rebrand has included starting the “BFFs Pod” alongside influencers Briana LaPaglia and Josh Richards, discussing a number of pop culture topics intended to reel in a new demographic. This podcast, in combination with his Swiftie era, remains a clear shot at turning the public eye away from the dark allegations and on-air comments made from himself and a number of podcasters at the company.
Portnoy is yet to comment further on Kardashian’s relationship with Swift, and will likely soon enter his “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” era.
