Former FBI Director James Comey released a five-minute video on his Substack platform on Sunday, revealing an unusual coping mechanism for his ongoing public feud with President Donald Trump: the music and philosophy of pop superstar Taylor Swift.

Describing himself as a longtime "Swiftie," Comey credited Swift’s approach to handling criticism as inspiration for navigating political divisiveness, particularly Trump’s rhetoric.

In the video, Comey reflected on Swift’s recent appearance on the "New Heights" podcast, hosted by NFL star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce.

"While our elderly makeup-covered president is posting about whether Taylor Swift is still hot and declaring that he can’t stand her, what’s she doing?" Comey said. "Living her best life, producing great music and as she urged all of us to do during the podcast, not giving the jerks power over her mind. She said something about dealing with internet trolls that stuck with me — think of your energy as if it’s expensive."

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Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, sparking the Mueller investigation, has been a vocal critic of the president.

He recounted attending his first Taylor Swift concert 15 years ago and claimed a personal connection to her music.

"Taylor Swift and I go way back," he said, adding, "I went to my first concert of hers 15 years ago. And I have helped financially support the attendance of a lot of family members and others. I’m in a family Swiftie group chat. I know all her music."

He named "All Too Well" and "Exile" as his favorite Swift songs.

The former FBI director contrasted Swift’s approach with that of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has used satirical social media posts to mock Trump.

"I find it very funny, hilarious, even sometimes," Comey said of Newsom’s tactics. "But I gotta be honest, it also leaves me with a strange feeling at times, because I don’t want us to become like Trump and his followers. There are far more decent, honest, kind people in America than there are mean jerks."

Comey also referenced a Swift concert he attended in Hartford, Connecticut, 14 years ago, where she performed a song addressing negativity.

"She sang a song about this topic, asking why you got to be so mean," he said. "She spoke directly to the nasty people, 'I bet you got pushed around. Somebody made you cold, but the cycle ends right now.' Nobody should have power over us. Thank you, Taylor Swift."

The video comes amid controversy surrounding Comey, who is reportedly under investigation for a May 2025 Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell "86 47."

Some interpret the numbers as a coded message, with "86" slang for "to kill" and "47" referring to Trump as the 47th president, raising concerns about incitement.

Neither Comey nor federal authorities have publicly commented on the investigation.

Trump’s attacks on Swift intensified earlier this month when he declared on social media that the singer was "no longer hot," comparing her to actress Sydney Sweeney, who has been praised by conservatives.

Swift, who endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020 and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, has been a frequent target of Trump’s ire.

In September 2024, he posted, "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT," claiming his criticism impacted her popularity.

Swift’s "New Heights" podcast appearance, where she discussed handling internet trolls, also garnered attention from Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes reposted Swift’s advice, writing, "That. Is. The. Day," with applauding emojis.

Swift announced her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, set for release on October 3, during the podcast.

The controversy surrounding Comey’s video coincides with recent developments in his family.

His daughter, Maureen Comey, was fired from her role as a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office last month, a decision announced by Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi.

Perhaps the disgraced former FBI director is lobbying for the insanity defense when the criminal charges come his way.