7 unapologetically blunt lines from Taylor Swift's testimony

Taylor Swift appeared in a Denver court Thursday to testify in her civil case against David Mueller, a former radio DJ who Swift alleges groped her during a 2013 meet-and-greet. Mueller sued the pop star in 2015, claiming her accusation was false and caused him to lose his job. Swift countersued, though just for a dollar and to "serve as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts."
Mueller has claimed he may have merely accidentally brushed against Swift's arm or torso while he and his girlfriend were posing for a photo with the singer. But on Thursday, Swift unflinchingly contradicted that claim before jurors in a remarkably candid testimony. Below, some of Swift's most defiant, forthright quotes. Becca Stanek
On what happened: "He grabbed my ass underneath my skirt. It was underneath my skirt."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
On how she responded: Mueller "stayed latched on to my bare ass cheek as I moved away from him visibly uncomfortable."
On whether she could see the incident directly: No, because her "ass is in the back of [her] body."
On how she could have taken a break from greeting fans "if she was distressed": "And your client could have taken a normal photo with me."
On how she knows it was Mueller: "He had a handful of my ass. I know it was him."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
On why she refuses to let Mueller get her down: "I am not going to allow your my client to make me feel like it is anyway my fault, because it isn't."
On Mueller's denial: "He did not touch my rib, he did not touch my hand, he grabbed my bare ass."
-
Amazon's James Bond deal could mean a new future for 007
In the Spotlight The franchise had previously been owned by the Broccoli family for its entirety
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans suddenly panicking about DOGE?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As Trump and Musk take a chainsaw to the federal government, a growing number of Republicans worry that the massive cuts are hitting a little too close to home
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is JD Vance's Net Worth?
In Depth The vice president is rich. But not nearly as wealthy as his boss and many of his boss' appointees
By David Faris Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published