Streamer Criticizes Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Lavish New York Wedding Over Public Security Costs
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce held a high-profile wedding in New York City over the weekend, sparking sharp criticism regarding the use of public funds for security. The couple's celebration took place at Madison Square Garden on Thursday and Friday, featuring around 1,000 guests and performances by Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks. The event led to the closure of major streets and deployment of New York Police Department officers to manage crowds of fans and onlookers.
Popular streamer Hasan Piker publicly condemned the wedding on his show HasanAbi, calling the use of taxpayer money for security "dramatic misuse of public resources." He described the event as "crazy" and "looking bad," emphasizing that despite Swift's beloved public image, her billionaire status means she engages in billionaire-level extravagance. Reports estimate the wedding's total cost at approximately $15 million, including security expenses.
Earlier on Thursday evening, the couple hosted a smaller dinner with about 100 attendees at the Infosys Theater. TMZ reported that NYPD's security costs for the wedding and pre-wedding dinner were around $160,000, though it remains unclear whether Swift or the city taxpayers will cover these expenses. The choice to hold the wedding at Madison Square Garden, a venue closely tied to Swift's career, rather than a private estate, also drew criticism online as an ostentatious display of power.
Meanwhile, fans known as "Swifties" gathered outside the venue to celebrate the couple. New York City's mayor, Zohar Mamdani, highlighted his favorite 12 Swift songs during the event period. The wedding's scale and public impact have ignited debate about celebrity privilege and the use of public resources for private celebrations.
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