The question of what is real and what isn’t real is a mystery, but Sweeney has been reserved about her political beliefs. She has previously been the subject of online think-piecing about being a symbol for conservatives, such as her appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in 2024, where conservative commentators seized on her and her appearance as evidence that “inclusive” beauty standards were finally dead.
The controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney, a rising star in Hollywood, has been fueled by the “great jeans” American Eagle tagline. The controversy began with the photo shoots of Sweeney, which were widely seen by Republicans as being unapologetically American and rejecting liberal sensibilities about beauty and inclusivity. After some liberal detractors took issue with her ad, MAGA media influencers and other conservative media outlets amplified the story, which played well to audiences focused on “owning the libs.” Vice President Vance positioned criticism of the slogan as emblematic of the shortcomings of Democrats.
Sweeney has long been a subject of fascination among some of the right, and after it emerged that she is reportedly a registered Republican in Florida, the idea of her being a Hollywood avatar of the right reached new heights. The “great jeans” slogan was a perfect riff for Republicans and Trump allies to make statements about American pride. Republicans are also often on the lookout for A-list celebrities that show signs of backing the GOP brand.
