Scooter Braun Breaks Silence: ‘Shocked’ by Taylor Swift’s Public Accusations

June 10, 2025 — New York, NY — Music industry heavyweight Scooter Braun has spoken out in detail for the first time regarding his years-long and widely publicized feud with global pop sensation Taylor Swift. In a candid new interview published this morning, Braun expressed “shock” and “disappointment” over what he called an “unprovoked and personal attack” by Swift after his 2019 acquisition of her former music catalog.

The Backstory: A $300 Million Deal That Sparked a Firestorm

The conflict began when Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group in 2019, a deal that included the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums. Swift responded with a strongly worded public statement accusing Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying” and claimed she had been denied the chance to purchase her own masters.

The pop star’s fans quickly mobilized, flooding social media with messages of support under hashtags like #IStandWithTaylor and #FreeTaylor. Braun, who remained mostly silent for years, found himself painted as a villain by one of the most powerful fan bases in music history.

Braun: “It Wasn’t Personal”

Now, in a reflective tone, Braun is offering his perspective on the controversy that defined much of his public identity for the last half-decade.

“I was genuinely shocked by how everything unfolded,” Braun said in the interview. “The deal was a business transaction — not a personal slight. I never expected that acquiring the label would result in a personal attack from Taylor.”

Braun insisted he held “tremendous respect” for Swift as a songwriter and performer but maintained that the business decision was misinterpreted. “We were operating within industry norms. Artists rarely own their masters from the outset. It’s unfortunate that our situation became so toxic in the public eye.”

Swift’s Silence and Business Moves

While Swift has not directly responded to Braun’s recent statements, her actions over the past few years have spoken volumes. Beginning in 2021, she launched a high-profile project to re-record her first six albums under the “Taylor’s Version” label, regaining creative and commercial control of her music. The re-recordings have broken records and reshaped how the industry views artist ownership.

Music executives have noted that Swift’s campaign has had a ripple effect throughout the industry, with many younger artists now negotiating harder for rights to their masters. Some say it even pressured major labels to rethink contract structures.

Public Reaction: Mixed, but Evolving

Reaction to Braun’s interview has been mixed. While some fans and industry insiders sympathized with his point of view — noting that he became a scapegoat for long-standing industry practices — others questioned the timing of his statements.

“Why now?” asked media analyst Ava Torres. “If he truly respected Swift’s position, he could have spoken up with this level of nuance years ago. Coming out with this now may be a strategic move to reshape his legacy.”

Still, others believe the public has matured in its understanding of the issue. “It was a complicated situation that got simplified by social media into ‘good vs. evil,’” said music journalist Eric Mason. “The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between.”

Looking Ahead

Braun, who recently stepped back from day-to-day artist management to focus on media ventures, says he’s ready to move on. “I’m proud of what I’ve built and the artists I’ve supported. This chapter taught me a lot — about business, about media, and about the power of perception.”

As for Swift, she continues to dominate charts with both re-recordings and new projects. Whether she will publicly address Braun’s recent remarks remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the Braun-Swift saga has left a lasting impact on the music industry — one that continues to influence conversations about ownership, power, and artistic control.