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Sydney Sweeney becomes Republican icon after gun range video goes viral, ‘3000% wifey material’

Sydney Sweeney is having a very American viral moment – and it involves denim, firearms and a whole lot of unexpected fanfare from the right.

Published on: Aug 5, 2025, 14:26:47 IST
By Eshana Saha
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A 2019 video of the Euphoria actress training at a gun range with Taran Tactical Innovations has resurfaced online, and it has been lighting up Instagram feeds. The timing? No coincidence. The firearms retailer reposted the clip over the weekend, edited alongside Sweeney’s now-controversial American Eagle ad – a denim campaign that’s been both praised and panned across the political spectrum.

Sydney Sweeney's new American Eagle ad campaign has been garnering backlash for having racial undertones. (REUTERS)
Sydney Sweeney's new American Eagle ad campaign has been garnering backlash for having racial undertones. (REUTERS)

Her jeans are blue - and her shot’s on point

The original gun range video, captioned as “training for a new project,” shows a focused Sweeney firing with precision - a stark contrast to her now-infamous American Eagle monologue that ends with the line: “My jeans are blue.” The juxtaposition of clips reignited discourse around the actress, particularly among conservative fans who flooded the comments with declarations like:

“Strong, self-thinking women are the sexiest!"

“Make America hot again 🇺🇸”

Also Read | Sydney Sweeney speaks out amid uproar over American Eagle ‘great genes’ ad controversy

Enter Donald Trump and the Republican revelation

As if the online buzz weren’t loud enough, former President Donald Trump weighed in after discovering Sweeney has been registered with the Republican Party of Florida since June 2024. “She’s a registered Republican?” he asked reporters. “If Sydney Sweeney is a Republican, I think her ad is fantastic!”

Also Read | ‘Being woke is for losers’: Trump supports ‘republican’ Sydney Sweeney, bashes Taylor Swift

The 27-year-old hasn’t responded directly to the backlash or the unexpected political praise, but she’s clearly unfazed. On Saturday night, she hit up The GasLite karaoke bar in Santa Monica with Euphoria castmates Hunter Schafer and Maude Apatow - belting out “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes like nothing was brewing online. Jacob Elordi was also spotted at the venue.

Also Read | Sydney Sweeney steps out for karaoke night-out with Euphoria's Jacob Elordi amid American Eagle ad backlash

Caught in the Culture War - and Still Winning

While her American Eagle ad drew backlash for what some critics called a “racialized dog whistle,” the brand has stood by the campaign. And Sweeney? She’s too busy living her best life - and apparently hitting bullseyes - to clap back.

With Hollywood charm, right-wing appeal and now viral firepower, Sydney Sweeney just might be the most unexpected culture war icon of 2025.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eshana Saha

Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.

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