In a surprising turn of events, Taylor Swift's appearance at the Super Bowl has ignited a fresh wave of vitriol from conservative pundits. Following the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, Swift's presence on the field has triggered speculation of a psychological manipulation effort known as a "psy-op" among fringe circles.

One of the most viewed posts came from a right-wing account called End Wokeness, which aims to fight and expose "wokeness." The account suggested that Swift's overwhelming popularity in U.S. pop culture must be the result of malign forces. The post claimed, "What's happening with Taylor Swift is not organic and natural. It's an op. We all feel it. We all know it."

This controversy comes on the heels of increased scrutiny from football fans who have grown annoyed with Swift's media exposure during NFL games, where cameras often pan to capture her reactions. In response, Swift told Time magazine that she has no awareness of whether she is being shown too often and upsetting some viewers.

Further fanning the flames, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy shared his own conspiracy theory suggesting that the Super Bowl will be rigged to favor a culturally propped-up couple who he believes will unveil a major presidential endorsement in the fall. Ramaswamy's speculation has gained attention, although he has already dropped out of the race and endorsed former President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee.

Notably, these right-wing accusations were previously shut down by the Pentagon earlier this month. Conservative commentator Jesse Watters had claimed that Swift may be a front for a covert political agenda, referencing a clip from a 2019 NATO conference where Swift was mentioned as a powerful influencer. However, the Pentagon dismissed Watters' claims as a "conspiracy theory," while the presenter in the clip clarified that her comment had been taken out of context.

It's worth mentioning that Swift, who had largely remained apolitical until 2018, has increasingly engaged in the political sphere. She endorsed two Democrats in Tennessee and has spoken out on various political issues, drawing both support and criticism from fans on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Swift's endorsements of Democratic politicians, as well as her support for LGBTQ+ rights and her vocal criticism of Trump, have made her a target for conservative critics. Nevertheless, Swift's massive fanbase remains dedicated, and she has used her platform to encourage voter registration and participation through partnerships with organizations like Vote.org.

Despite the controversy surrounding her, Swift's favorability rating remains high. In an NBC News poll, she netted the highest favorability rating of any public figure, with 40% of registered voters expressing a positive opinion of her.

While some in the football community ponder the significance of Swift's relationship with Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce, others, like ESPN's Pat McAfee, welcome it as positive news. McAfee stated, "Taylor (Swift) is a part of the football world now. This is good news, not bad news."

As the Super Bowl concludes, it remains to be seen whether the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift will subside or continue to be a topic of discussion among critics and fans alike.