Shocking revelation, the CIA has confirmed that a recent terrorist plot targeting Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna was aimed at killing tens of thousands of people. David S. Cohen, the CIA’s deputy director, disclosed these details during the annual Intelligence Summit held outside Washington, D.C., according to The New York Times.
The thwarted plot involved four suspects connected to the Islamic State, who were apprehended by Austrian authorities in the weeks leading up to Swift’s Eras Tour shows. The CIA provided crucial intelligence to help prevent what could have been a devastating attack.
“The plot was to kill a massive number of people, potentially tens of thousands,” Cohen stated on Wednesday. “Our agency and our partners in the intelligence community gave the Austrians the necessary information to thwart this plot.”
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Due to the proximity of the arrests to the event dates, Barracuda Music, the concert organizer, was forced to cancel all three of Swift’s scheduled performances at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, originally set to begin on August 8.
The Austrian police first detained two suspects: a 17-year-old Austrian citizen with al-Qaida materials and a 19-year-old planning an attack using explosives and knives. On August 8, they arrested an 18-year-old Iraqi national. Although a fourth suspect, a 15-year-old, was also identified, he was released after questioning.
Swift expressed her shock and concern over the canceled shows, noting the emotional impact on her and her fans. “The reason for the cancellation filled me with fear and tremendous guilt, but I am deeply grateful to the authorities for preventing a potential tragedy,” she shared on Instagram.
The intelligence agency did not reveal the specific methods used to uncover the plot, but it is estimated that around 200,000 fans were expected to attend Swift’s Vienna concerts. With the European leg of her Eras Tour now complete, the pop star and her team continue to prioritize safety and security for all future performances.
