Overview
- On May 28, 2026, Braun told the Second Thought podcast he has met Taylor Swift only about three times and never had a substantial conversation with her.
- He reminded listeners that his 2019 purchase of Big Machine gave him control of Swift’s first six albums, which he later sold to Shamrock Capital and which Swift bought back in May 2025.
- Braun said the immediate public backlash from the 2019 deal turned him into “a villain,” and he described the episode as a painful lesson from which he tried to grow.
- He argued the dispute helped push more artists to seek ownership or greater control of their masters, explaining that labels traditionally buy recorded rights when they sign or acquire catalogs.
- The interview renewed media attention and polarized fan reaction while also touching on Braun’s personal life, including brief praise for his girlfriend Sydney Sweeney without giving details of their relationship.