The CIA deputy director has revealed that a planned terror plot at Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna earlier this month intended on killing "a huge number" of people, including Americans. The plot was thwarted thanks to information provided by the CIA.
The deputy director of the CIA, David S. Cohen, confirmed at the Intelligence and National Security Summit that the intended terrorist plot at Taylor Swift's shows in Vienna earlier this month was intended on killing "a huge number" of people, including Americans.
Cohen revealed that the information Austrian authorities used to stop the terror plot from occurring was given to the CIA and then shared with its partner agencies.
Terror Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Foiled Due to CIA Intel
"They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans," Cohen said. "The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do."
Swift's representative did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Terror Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Foiled Due to CIA Intel
In early August, Swift canceled three of her Austria shows at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna after she was made aware of a planned bomb plot.
On Aug. 7, authorities arrested a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old male for allegedly plotting terror attacks on Swift's Vienna shows, set for Aug. 8-10 at Ernst Happel Stadium. An 18-year-old male was arrested on Aug. 8.
Terror Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Foiled Due to CIA Intel
A 15-year-old male has been questioned by police but has not been named as a suspect.
Swift called the cancelations "devastating" at the time in a post on social media days after her Vienna shows were expected to take place.
Terror Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Foiled Due to CIA Intel
"Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions," Swift wrote in a social media post. "Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives."
She continued, "I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us."
Terror Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Foiled Due to CIA Intel
At least one of the suspects confessed to wanting to "kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue."
Bomb-making materials were also found in at least one of the teens' homes. The 19-year-old male had bomb-making manuals in his possession along with homemade explosives, detonators, and hydrogen peroxide, according to NBC.
Authorities found ISIS and al Qaeda materials at the home of the 17-year-old.
Due to Austrian privacy laws, the names of the suspects have not been released to the public.
Cohen's revelation highlights the vital role that intelligence agencies play in preventing terrorist attacks.
The CIA's ability to gather and share information with its partners allowed Austrian authorities to take swift action and avert a potential tragedy.
The incident also serves as a reminder that terrorist threats can come from anywhere and at any time.
Concerts and other large gatherings can be particularly vulnerable to attacks, and it is crucial for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect the public.
