Stephen Miller, a controversial figure well-known for his involvement in the Trump administration, has once again found a novel way to stay in the headlines. After a surprising transition to the legal sphere, Miller has launched a rather intriguing conspiracy theory about pop sensation Taylor Swift.
The former adviser known for his nativist politics has levied many lawsuits against high-profile entities he deems as too progressive, or ‘woke’. White nationalist by choice, Miller has sued entities such as the Kelloggs brand for their supposedly overly progressive Pop-Tarts, and the NYU Law School for alleged discrimination.
Despite not being a qualified lawyer himself, Miller’s activities in this domain have attracted much criticism and attention. His habit of stirring up conflict around the so-called “wokeness” of selected targets, which often serves to attract funding, has moved some to dub him a ‘vexatious litigant’. After targeting Macy’s for inclusivity seminars, Miller has now deflected his attention towards the recent news of Taylor Swift being named Time’s Person of the Year.
Without any substantial legal basis, Miller teased a potentially vexatious intent to investigate why pop superstar Taylor Swift won Person of the Year, despite her numerous contributions to the music industry and wider society, even inspiring law schools to offer classes.
The conspiracy theory, however, veers off into familiar territory once Miller suggests connections between Taylor Swift and established wingnut boogeymen such as George Soros. These unsubstantiated claims serve to incite a familiar crowd, casting Swift as a part of various conspiracies.
The implications of such inflammatory tactics remain to be seen. Miller’s activities seem to be a ploy to fund his organisation, America First Legal, by drawing support from those who share his views. It can’t be ignored that Miller’s career could also benefit from such publicity stunts, with rumours of him being considered for Attorney General should Trump return to office.
As always, the legal community will continue to scrutinize these legal antics and their wider implications for the profession and society at large. Further information on Miller’s activities can be found here.