Two climate activists who tried to spray orange paint on what they believed was Taylor Swift’s private jet have been found guilty of damaging two planes at London Stansted Airport.
Jennifer Kowalski, 29, and Cole Macdonald, 23, cut through a fence with an angle grinder on June 20, 2024, entered a VIP hangar, and took turns spraying the planes with paint while filming the act. Their goal was to target Swift’s jet and pressure her to speak out about climate change, but the planes actually belonged to an insurance company and an investment group, not the singer.
A Chelmsford Crown Court jury took less than two hours to convict both defendants. Judge Alexander Mills said there was no doubt they caused the damage. Harrods Aviation, which manages the hangar, said the incident could have been “catastrophic.” Removing the paint required special aviation chemicals and 45 hours of work.
Macdonald told the court that Swift’s private jet use had faced heavy criticism. Both defendants said they believed the paint would wash off easily and would not harm the planes.
Kowalski and Macdonald have been released on bail and will be sentenced on October 27. The judge warned that all sentencing options remain open.
