Music megastar Taylor Swift has once again found herself at the center of a public controversy as a computer science student continues to track her private jet usage.
Jack Sweeney, a 21-year-old aviation enthusiast, has diligently monitored Swift’s flights despite receiving a cease and desist letter from her legal team.
Swift’s frequent use of her private jets has previously faced criticism due to the carbon footprint it leaves behind. According to Sweeney’s tracking, her planes flew 178,000 miles in 2023, emitting about 1,200 tons of CO2. This is roughly equivalent to circling the globe seven times. The release of a recent YouTube video showcasing all of Swift’s flights from the past year has once again brought her jet usage into the spotlight.
Despite being warned by Swift’s lawyers about the potential safety concerns arising from his actions, Sweeney remains undeterred. He believes that his tracking raises awareness about the impact of celebrities’ personal choices on the environment. However, Swift’s spokesperson has connected his activities to a security incident involving an arrested stalker at her Manhattan residence.
Sweeney, who also tracks other celebrities such as Elon Musk, Kylie Jenner, and Kim Kardashian, insists that his intentions are not to personally attack Swift. He sees his work as an effort to bring attention to the issue.
“Nothing [has happened]. I’m not really surprised,” he told The Sun. “[The celebrities will] say something to intimidate the smaller person.” He also mentioned that he enjoys the attention and the awareness it brings.
Interestingly, Swift does not rank in the top 10 of celebrities with the highest private jet usage. The list is topped by Travis Scott, Kim Kardashian, and Elon Musk. This indicates that while Swift’s jet use is significant, it is not the most excessive among her celebrity peers.
In response to the controversy, there has been a noticeable decrease in the use of Swift’s private jets. It has been reported that she now prefers charter flights, possibly to avoid further tracking. This change may be a direct consequence of the negative publicity.
Sweeney believes that the decreasing use of Swift’s private jets may also have other factors at play. He suggests that her choice to use charter jets for her upcoming European tour may be influenced by a mix of reasons, including the negative publicity and the convenience and comfort of charter jets.
While Taylor’s decision to switch to charter flights may make it more challenging for Sweeney to track her movements, he remains determined to continue his work. In fact, he is even preparing a new video detailing Elon Musk’s private jet usage from the past year.
