Taylor Swift's Dad Scott Got Into A Physical Altercation With Photographer In Sydney: Report
Taylor Swift's dad, Scott Kingsley Swift, was accused of assaulting a photographer in Sydney.
Swift's dad joined her in Sydney for her "The Eras Tour" concerts, which she just wrapped up. The father and daughter were celebrating her successful tour stop when the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Scott, 71, allegedly charged at Ben McDonald, 51, at a ferry wharf on Sydney's North shore. NSW Police Force confirmed the incident to Page Six and said that they already launched an investigation.
Brittany Mahomes looks on while Taylor Swift hugs Scott Kingsley Swift and Alana Haim cheers while the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots play at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
McDonald detailed the incident to Daily Mail. He claimed that Scott charged at him once he was off the superyacht with Taylor. He initially thought it was a security guard and was surprised when he realized it was the pop star's father. He was not sure what triggered Taylor's dad to attack him.
"In 23 years of taking pictures, I have never seen anything like it," Scott said. "She got off the boat, she walked towards security guards who were shoving umbrellas in our faces."
Scott Swift and Honoree/Daughter Taylor Swift at the 2011 CMT Artists of the year celebration at the Bridgestone Arena on November 29, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the footage and photos obtained by Daily Mail, the father and daughter were seen walking up from the wharf with umbrellas. McDonald started shooting with his camera, and a security guard could be heard telling him not to touch the umbrella.
Then the camera jolted, and there was movement.
"Who was that?" McDonald asked.
"That wasn't me, that wasn't me," a security guard said.
McDonald did not require medical treatment, and he didn't believe he would have lasting injuries but had "very sore chops" on the left side of his face.
Swift's rep released a statement about the incident to Daily Mail and Us Weekly. According to the "Anti-Hero" hitmaker's camp, the photographers were "aggressive."
Scott Kingsley Swift (L) and his daughter, honoree Taylor Swift, attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
"Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water," Taylor's spokeswoman said.
However, McDonald, the chief executive of Matrix Media Group, denied the statement and called it "utter rubbish."
"This is the sort of bulls**t I might expect," he said, per Daily Mail. "Which female was that? The only one there was Taylor."
Scott Kingsley Swift, honoree Taylor Swift, singer Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Cassidy Black and recording artist Dierks Bentley attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
Scott has been present at his daughter's shows for over a decade. He is known to give away guitar picks to Swift's fans but switched things up last weekend when he handed sandwiches to concertgoers.
His gesture was caught on camera and uploaded on TikTok.
"Papa Swift giving out sandwiches and fruits," the caption read.
