Judge Dismisses Taylor Swift Subpoena in "It Ends With Us" Legal Feud as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Battle Escalates

Justin Baldoni was granted access to Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s text messages

Taylor Swift will not be required to testify in the escalating legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the 2024 film It Ends With Us, after a federal judge dismissed the subpoena for her court appearance. However, communications involving the pop icon may still be reviewed as evidence.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled Wednesday that Baldoni’s legal team may request text messages and communications between Swift and Lively that pertain specifically to the film or the ongoing legal claims. The decision affirms that messages involving Swift, if related directly to Lively’s harassment and retaliation allegations, are relevant and discoverable.

US District Judge Lewis Liman ruled on Wednesday that the actor can request communications between Swift and Lively related to the 2024 domestic violence film.

The judge emphasized that the requests were “reasonably tailored” to explore any communications that may support or contradict Lively’s legal claims against Baldoni.

Attorneys for Lively attempted to reach a compromise, offering access to documents requested by Baldoni’s team, excluding Swift’s messages, in exchange for all video footage related to the film and complete, unredacted communication logs listed in Baldoni’s initial complaint. The proposed agreement was ultimately rejected by Baldoni’s attorney.

“The requests for messages with Swift regarding the film and this action are reasonably tailored to discover information that would prove or disprove Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims,” the judge said

Lively, 37, had previously filed a lawsuit in December accusing Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and launching a targeted smear campaign that damaged her professional reputation. Swift, 35, was pulled into the dispute after being mentioned in Baldoni’s now-dismissed $400 million counter-lawsuit.

According to court documents, Baldoni alleged that Lively leveraged her close friendship with Swift and Swift’s partner Ryan Reynolds during disputes over It Ends With Us production decisions. The Jane the Virgin actor claimed he was summoned to the couple’s home to discuss script revisions, with Swift allegedly involved in the meeting.

Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment in December

In legal filings, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, cited messages in which Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons” — symbolic protectors in the dispute. The filing claimed the message was a warning that Baldoni was dealing with not only Lively but two of the world’s most influential celebrities.

Although Swift was subpoenaed to testify in the March 2026 trial, the request was dropped in May. Despite the dismissal, insiders suggest the situation has strained Swift’s friendship with Lively. A source close to the singer reportedly said Swift would “forever be furious” over being dragged into the controversy.

Representatives for Swift and Lively have not responded to requests for comment regarding the court’s ruling or the ongoing dispute.

Last week, the “Gossip Girl” alum’s team submitted a request to protect her texts with the “Cruel Summer” singer.