Kirk Hammett is being dubbed the unforgiven by the Swifties.
The Metallica guitarist has drawn the ire of Taylor Swift fans after wearing a shirt depicting a blank-eyed Swift with the words “Taylor Swift is a CIA Pysop.” Hammett donned the garment at the center of this controversy during a June 13th concert in Budapest at the Puskás Aréna.
Some within the pop star’s dedicated fan base did not appreciate the shirt, likely a play on the strange controversy that somehow Geese’s audacious marketing campaign was a pysop, sparking conspiracy theories and apparent online psychosis.
Shirtgate 2026 will give the fan bases of Swift and Metallica a reason to get fired up for a moment, get the music acts a few more streams, and sell a few more tickets. Shirt makers are also sure to rake in some dollars too. Hammett and Swift will likely have a laugh about it in a private conversation later on if they ever meet.
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Meanwhile, Swift has the number one song on Billboard’s Hot 100 with “I Knew It, I Knew You” from the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. She was recently seen leaving New York’s Electric Lady Studio after an overnight session.
Metallica are on an European tour before starting a residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere from October to March. Fans can get tickets here.
Kirk Hammett from the has-been band Metallica was wearing a “Taylor Swift Is a CIA Psyop” shirt on stage. pic.twitter.com/qe5URKFJKR
— Taylor Swift Fan Archive (@Taylors_Archive) June 19, 2026