Donna Kelce eliminated in The Traitors Season 4 premiere

Donna Kelce’s shocking exit and the fear that surrounded her vote-out

Season 4 of The Traitors kicked off with a major surprise as Donna Kelce was eliminated in the very first episode. The reality show premiered on January 8, 2026, on Peacock, and viewers did not expect such an early exit from one of the most talked-about contestants.

Donna Kelce, known as the mother of NFL star Travis Kelce and the future mother-in-law of global pop icon Taylor Swift, had a short but impactful journey on the show. Her presence alone brought extra attention and pressure inside the Scottish castle where the show is filmed.

Donna Kelce revealed as a traitor

In the premiere episode, the makers revealed that Donna was secretly selected as a traitor. Early on, she teamed up with fellow contestant Rob Cesternino to target another player, successfully eliminating one contestant from the game. However, that move quickly raised suspicion among the group, with several players starting to question Donna’s role and strategy.

Why contestants were scared to vote her out

Despite growing doubts, voting out Donna was not an easy decision. Reports suggested that many contestants feared potential backlash if they eliminated Travis Kelce’s mother. Some worried about facing online criticism from NFL fans and especially from Taylor Swift’s loyal fanbase.

Deeply obsessed with Donna Kelce—Taylor Swift's future mother-in-law—saying she's fangirling over all of the reality stars at breakfast in the Traitors castle. #TheTraitorsUS pic.twitter.com/ioc9Nv0QLx

— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) January 9, 2026

Host Alan Cumming later confirmed this fear during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He shared that players openly discussed their concern about how “Swifties” might react if Donna was banished from the show.

Jason Kelce’s reaction before the show aired

Before the season premiered, Donna’s elder son Jason Kelce had spoken about her participation. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in July 2025, he described his mother as “too sweet” for a game that requires manipulation and tough strategy, adding that he was curious to see how she would handle the pressure.

Donna Kelce really came on The Traitors and said “try me if you want” ???? Legend. No wonder the Swifties are on high alert.pic.twitter.com/YGROd2sSYW

— Victor lopez (@victorlopezinc) January 9, 2026

Where to watch The Traitors Season 4 and episode release schedule

The Traitors Season 4 premiered on January 8, 2026, and streams exclusively on Peacock in the United States. New episodes drop every Thursday, and the first three episodes are already available to watch.

This season features several well-known contestants, including Porsha Williams, Rob Cesternino, Ian Terry, Lisa Rinna, and Colton Underwood. In the opening episodes, four contestants — Porsha Williams, Donna Kelce, Rob Cesternino, and Ian Terry — were eliminated.

With high-profile names, intense mind games, and growing paranoia inside the castle, Season 4 is already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic seasons of The Traitors yet.