Scooter Braun’s Response to Taylor Swift’s Song “Vigilante Sh-t”
During a recent podcast appearance, music executive Scooter Braun addressed fan speculation that pop superstar Taylor Swift had written a song about him. Braun, known for his work with artists like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, has a long history with Swift, including a period when he managed her career. The conversation came after the release of Swift’s 10th studio album, Midnights, which sparked widespread theories that one of its tracks, “Vigilante Sh-t,” was directed at Braun and his ex-wife, Yael Cohen.
The song features lyrics that seem to tell the story of a woman seeking revenge against someone who wronged her. One line in particular caught attention: “Draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man / You did some bad things, but I'm the worst of them.” Another verse includes, “She needed cold hard proof so I gave her some / She had the envelope, where you think she got it from?” These lines led fans to believe that the track was a veiled reference to Braun and Cohen.
However, Braun dismissed these claims, stating that there is no way the song could be about him and his ex-wife. He emphasized that he and Cohen are on good terms and even laugh about such rumors. “My ex-wife is one of my best friends,” he said during an episode of the Question Everything podcast. “So, me and my ex-wife laugh at that stuff.”
Braun also highlighted the positive relationship he shares with Cohen, noting that they have three children together—Jagger, Levi, and Hart—and consider each other family for life. He shared that they rarely refer to themselves as “ex” partners and even have a shared tattoo that reads “same team.” “That’s the mother of my children,” he explained. “That is my family for life.”
Despite this, many fans still believed the song was about him, given their complicated past. Their relationship became contentious in 2019 when Braun acquired Swift’s former label, Big Machine, for $300 million, which included the rights to her first six albums. Swift expressed her frustration at the time, feeling she wasn’t given the chance to buy her masters before they were sold. She described the deal as a betrayal of her musical legacy.
However, the situation eventually changed. In 2020, Braun sold Swift’s catalog to Shamrock Capital, and in 2025, Swift was finally able to purchase her masters back after completing her record-breaking Eras Tour. She expressed immense relief and joy, calling it a long-awaited victory. “I almost stopped thinking it would ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away,” she wrote.
Swift praised Shamrock Capital for handling the deal with honesty and respect, describing them as the first people to offer her full autonomy over her music. She even joked about getting a shamrock tattoo as a symbol of gratitude.
In addition to their professional history, Braun and Cohen’s personal relationship has also been the subject of public interest. According to a report, Braun paid Cohen $20 million as part of their divorce settlement. Despite the financial division, both parties retained significant assets. Braun kept a collection of art, luxury vehicles, and a $65 million mansion, while Cohen retained ownership of their $30 million Brentwood home, a 2021 Land Rover Defender, and several pieces of art.
Braun’s response to the song controversy highlights the complex dynamics between him and Swift, as well as the ongoing discussions around music ownership and creative control. While he denies any connection to the lyrics, the speculation continues to fuel conversations among fans and industry observers alike.
