A recent tweet questioning "Sydney Sweeney, the MAGA supermodel?" has reignited discussions surrounding the actress's past association with "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) politics. The social media post, made by user ᐱ ᑎ ᑐ ᒋ ᕮ ᒍ, draws attention to a controversy that first emerged in August 2022.
The initial incident stemmed from photos shared by Sweeney from her mother's 60th birthday party. These images featured guests wearing parody hats that read "Make Sixty Great Again" and merchandise associated with "Blue Lives Matter." The pictures quickly circulated online, leading to widespread backlash and speculation about Sweeney's own political leanings.
Sydney Sweeney addressed the controversy at the time, stating on social media, "You guys this is wild. An innocent celebration for my mom’s milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Please stop making assumptions." She later clarified in interviews that the individuals wearing the controversial items were her mother's friends, not family members, and that the hats were intended as a joke.
The actress has consistently sought to distance herself from the political interpretations of the event. In a March 2024 appearance hosting Saturday Night Live, Sweeney even directly referenced the "MAGA hat controversy" during her opening monologue, attempting to diffuse the long-standing public discussion through humor.
Despite her repeated clarifications and attempts to move past the incident, the "MAGA" association continues to resurface in public discourse, as evidenced by the recent tweet. This ongoing scrutiny highlights the challenges public figures face in controlling narratives, particularly those stemming from social media.