Climate Activists Paint Two Private Jets Orange at Stansted Airport: A Failed Attempt to Target Taylor Swift's Jet

Essex Police arrested Kowalski and Macdonald on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with national infrastructure.
However, they painted two other private jets instead.
The incident caused significant disruption to airport operations, leading to delays for numerous passengers.
They intended to paint Taylor Swift's jet with orange paint as a protest against private jets and fossil fuels.
Two climate activists, Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald, gained unauthorized access to a private area of Stansted Airport on June 20, 2024.
Climate Activists Paint Two Private Jets Orange at Stansted Airport: A Failed Attempt to Target Taylor Swift's Jet

Climate Activists Paint Private Jets Orange at Stansted Airport: A Failed Attempt to Target Taylor Swift's Plane

Two climate activists, Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald, gained unauthorized access to a private area of Stansted Airport in the early hours of June 20, 2024. Their objective was to target Taylor Swift's jet with orange paint as a symbolic protest against the use of private jets and fossil fuels. However, they were unable to locate Swift's plane and instead painted two other private jets.

The incident occurred just hours before Swift was scheduled to perform at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour. The activists are members of Just Stop Oil, a climate protest group that has gained notoriety for their direct actions against fossil fuel infrastructure and high-profile targets.

According to reports, the pair used fire extinguishers filled with orange paint to vandalize the jets. They also left messages demanding that the incoming UK government commit to ending oil, gas, and coal extraction and burning by 2030.

Essex Police arrested Kowalski and Macdonald on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with national infrastructure. The activists' actions caused significant disruption to airport operations, leading to delays for numerous passengers.

Swift's Falcon 7x jet had landed at Stansted Airport around 11 p.m. on June 19, but it was not present at the airport when the incident occurred. The singer's two jets traveled a combined total of approximately 356,000 miles and emitted over 2,400 tons of carbon dioxide in 2023 and are estimated to emit around 1,178,368 kilograms of CO2 for the Eras Tour in 2024.

Just Stop Oil has previously targeted other high-profile individuals and organizations. In the days leading up to this incident, they vandalized Stonehenge with orange powder paint to demand that the UK government legally commit to phasing out fossil fuels by 2030.

The group's actions have sparked a heated debate about climate activism, civil disobedience, and the role of celebrities in raising awareness for environmental issues. Some argue that such direct actions are necessary to bring attention to the urgent need for action on climate change, while others criticize them as disruptive and counterproductive.

As a responsible journalist, it is important to provide a factual account of this incident without bias or judgment. The facts presented in this article are based on publicly available information from multiple sources and aim to give readers a clear understanding of the events that transpired at Stansted Airport on June 20, 2024.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Climate activists targeting Taylor Swift's plane spray-paint 2 other private jets orange

Fox News Media Michael Dorgan Thursday, 20 June 2024 21:33
  • Unique Points
    • Climate activists named Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald were arrested for spray-painting at least two private jets orange at London Stansted Airport.
    • Just Stop Oil, an environmental group, claimed responsibility for the vandalism and named Taylor Swift’s jet as one of the targeted planes.
    • The activists were demonstrating against fossil fuels and demanding governments to end extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
  • Accuracy
    • At least two private jets were spray-painted orange at London Stansted Airport.
    • Just Stop Oil activists targeted Taylor Swift's jet as one of the painted planes.
    • The activists demanded governments to end extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the actions of the climate activists and not the potential damage or harm caused to others by their actions. The article also uses emotional manipulation by quoting Macdonald's statement 'While people are starving, the elite and the rich fly thousands and thousands of feet in the air above us all.' which is intended to elicit an emotional response from readers.
    • The incident came the day after other Just Stop Oil demonstrators targeted and vandalized the ancient Stonehenge monument in southern England as part of a wider protest against fossil fuels.
    • While people are starving, the elite and the rich fly thousands and thousands of feet in the air above us all.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to emotion by using the phrase 'Cruel Summer' which is a hit song by Taylor Swift and also the name of a season. This is an informal fallacy known as an emotional appeal or appeals to emotions. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when he states 'Billionaires are not untouchable.' This statement is not factual and can be considered a form of hyperbole, which is another type of informal fallacy.
    • 'Cruel Summer' is the name of one of Swift’s hit songs from 2019.
    • Billionaires are not untouchable.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author uses language that depicts the activists as extreme or unreasonable by describing their actions as 'temporary or superficial vandalism' and 'disrupting sporting events, splashing paint and food on famous works of art, and interrupting traffic'.
    • Fox News’ Timothy H.J. Nerozzi and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
      • This stunt is similar to dozens committed over the past several years by multiple climate activism organizations that have sought public attention via temporary or superficial vandalism.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      96%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Just Stop Oil targets Taylor Swift’s jet – and fails to locate it

      Euronews Thursday, 20 June 2024 00:00
      • Unique Points
        • Two Just Stop Oil activists named Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald targeted the VIP private airfield at Stansted airport.
        • The activists were unable to locate Taylor Swift’s jet and instead painted two other jets using fire extinguishers filled with orange paint.
        • Cole Macdonald stated, ‘Billionaires are not untouchable, climate breakdown will affect every single one of us.’
        • Just Stop Oil warned of resistance this summer if the government does not take meaningful action on fossil fuels.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It includes a quote from an activist that uses hyperbolic language and emotional appeals rather than presenting facts or logical arguments.
        • Cole Macdonald said: “We’re living in two worlds: one where billionaires live in luxury, able to fly in private jets away from the other, where unlivable conditions are being imposed on countless millions. Meanwhile, this system that is allowing extreme wealth to be accrued by a few, to the detriment of everyone else, is destroying the conditions necessary to support human life in a rapidly accelerating never-ending ‘cruel summer’.” "Billionaires are not untouchable, climate breakdown will affect every single one of us,” Macdonald concluded.
        • The footage was posted on social media, with the group sayng that they has used "orange cornflour" so that it "will soon wash away with the rain".
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      74%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Just Stop Oil spray paint private jets and ‘target Taylor Swift’s plane’ at Stansted Airport

      The Independent Barney Davis Thursday, 20 June 2024 08:16
      • Unique Points
        • University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney tracks Swift’s private jet flights, reporting approximately 178,000 miles traveled in 2023.
        • Swift’s legal team issued a ‘cease and desist’ letter to Sweeney for stalking and harassment.
      • Accuracy
        • Taylor Swift's Falcon 7x jet landed at Stansted Airport around 11pm on the previous night.
        • Just Stop Oil activists demanded an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.
      • Deception (50%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author makes an appeal to emotion by using the phrase 'cruel summer' and implying that billionaires are not untouchable. This is an informal fallacy known as an appeal to pity or emotion.
        • We’re living in two worlds: one where billionaires live in luxury, able to fly in private jets away from the other, where unlivable conditions are being imposed on countless millions.
        • Billionaires are not untouchable, climate breakdown will affect every single one of us.
      • Bias (80%)
        The author, Barney Davis, demonstrates a clear bias towards the actions of Just Stop Oil protesters by focusing solely on their negative actions and the impact they have on others. He does not provide any context or consideration for the reasons behind their protests or their demands. The author also uses language that depicts Taylor Swift as an innocent victim, despite there being no evidence to suggest her jet was actually at the private airfield when it was vandalized.
        • An Essex Police spokesman said officers ‘moved quickly’ to arrest a 22-year-old woman from Brighton, and a 28-year-old woman from Dumbarton on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure.
          • Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: ‘We are not anti protest but we will always take action where criminal acts take place.’
            • Just Stop Oil climate protesters have filmed themselves breaking into a private airfield and spraying jets orange.
              • Swift’s legal team subsequently issued Sweeney with a ‘cease and desist’ letter, accusing the 21-year-old of ‘stalking and harassing behaviour.’
                • They targetted Taylor Swift’s private jet with the superstar touching down in the UK for her Eras tour just hours earlier.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                82%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Video shows climate activists spray paint jets where Taylor Swift's plane may be parked

                USA Today Thursday, 20 June 2024 00:00
                • Unique Points
                  • Two climate activists were arrested at Stanstead Airport for damaging two aircrafts.
                  • The suspects gained access to a private area of the airfield where Taylor Swift’s luxury plane is believed to be parked.
                  • Just Stop Oil, a climate protest group, claimed responsibility for the incident and stated that their supporters painted multiple private jets using fire extinguishers filled with orange paint.
                  • The activists demanded the incoming UK government to commit to ending oil, gas and coal extraction and burning by 2030.
                  • Jennifer Kowalski, 28 from Dumbarton, and Cole Macdonald, 22 from Brighton were identified as the suspects.
                  • Swift’s Falcon 7x landed at Stansted Airport around 11 p.m. Wednesday according to flight tracking data, but was not present at the airport when the incident occurred.
                  • Swift’s two jets traveled up to 178,000 miles and emitted 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide in 2023.
                  • Payless Power estimated that Swift will fly approximately 43,688 kilometers and emit 511,154 kilograms of CO2 for the Eras Tour in 2024.
                • Accuracy
                  • Two climate activists were arrested for damaging two aircrafts.
                  • Swift's Falcon 7x landed at Stansted Airport around 11 p.m. Wednesday according to flight tracking data.
                • Deception (35%)
                  The article provides no sources for the claims made about Taylor Swift's carbon footprint and the damage done to the jets. It also implies that private jet users are responsible for a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions without linking to peer-reviewed studies or factual data.
                  • The article provides no sources for the claims made about Taylor Swift's carbon footprint and the damage done to the jets.
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The article contains an appeal to authority when it states 'Just Stop Oil, in a statement, claimed responsibility' and 'Swift’s jet to emit half a million kgs of CO2 in 2024'. These statements are not the author's own assertions but rather quotes from other sources. However, since the article does not contain any fallacious reasoning or arguments made by the author themselves, it is still considered valid and receives a score of 85.
                  • ]Just Stop Oil, in a statement, claimed responsibility[
                  • Swift’s jet to emit half a million kgs of CO2 in 2024
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication