Activists missed Taylor Swift's jet during climate protest | Fact check

The claim: Protestors vandalized Taylor Swift's private jet

A June 20 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a picture of a woman spraying orange paint on the side of a plane.

"#JustStopOil activists broke into an airfield and defaced #TaylorSwift’s private jet to protest," reads the post's caption.

The post garnered more than 30,000 likes in five days. Similar versions of the claim were shared on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

Police said neither of the jets vandalized by the protestors were connected to Swift.

Protestors missed Swift's jet

Two climate activists with the group Just Stop Oil were arrested on June 20 at London's Stansted Airport after being accused of spray painting two private jets. The group shared a video of the demonstration on X and said in the caption that the act took place "hours after Taylor Swift's lands (sic)."

Swift performed the following day at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras tour.

But the Essex Police Department told USA TODAY in an email that neither of the vandalized planes were connected to Swift.

Fact check: No, Country Music Hall of Fame didn't disqualify Taylor Swift; it's stolen satire

"We were called shortly before 5:10 a.m. today – Thursday 20 June," the department said. "It was reported two people had gained access to an area well away from the runway and main passenger terminal, before causing damage to two aircraft."

The department said it had arrested two women, a 22-year-old and a 28-year-old, "on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure" but the airport was once again operating as normal.

Mark Davison, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY the incident took place in a private aviation area not operated by the airport.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Reuters also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

• Essex Police Department, June 24, Email exchange with USA TODAY
• London Stansted Airport, June 22, Email exchange with USA TODAY

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.