From Taylor Swift to George W. Bush, DNC "surprise guest" speculation grips social media

Chicago, Illinois - Speculation was rife online about who would be the much-vaunted special guest Thursday on the Democratic National Convention's final night, with figures like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and former president George W. Bush in the running.

Speculation was rife online about who would be the much-vaunted special guest Thursday on the Democratic National Convention's final night, with figures from Taylor Swift (r.), Beyoncé (l.), and former president George W. Bush (c.) in the running.
Speculation was rife online about who would be the much-vaunted special guest Thursday on the Democratic National Convention's final night, with figures from Taylor Swift (r.), Beyoncé (l.), and former president George W. Bush (c.) in the running.  © Collage: ANGELA WEISS, Robyn Beck / AFP & Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Beyoncé was the name lighting up social media ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris's primetime address.

Celebrity gossip site TMZ fueled the fire with an all-caps headline on its homepage screaming "performing at DNC's final night!!!" above a picture of the megastar.

Taylor Swift was also one of the names circulating in media and political circles, with celebrity watchers trying to ascertain the whereabouts of private jets the pop icon has previously used.

Trump meets with backtracking MSNBC Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski
Donald Trump Trump meets with backtracking MSNBC Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a senator who has criticized former president Donald Trump, was even moved to deny that it would be him.

"Contrary to fake news posts, I am not the surprise guest at the DNC tonight. My guess is that it will be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift," Romney posted on X. "So disappointing, I know!"

His fellow Republican George W. Bush was put forward as a contender for the surprise spot, with Republicans against Trump posting a picture of Bush embracing then-first lady Michelle Obama to the account's 765,000 followers on X.

Some suggested that it would be the divisive Raygun, whose breakdancing efforts at the Paris Olympics spawned a plethora of mocking memes.

The Democratic convention's organizers have been tight-lipped about the identity of the special guest, however. We'll just have to wait and see!

Cover photo: Collage: ANGELA WEISS, Robyn Beck / AFP & Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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