Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to headlines, but this time, it’s not for her latest HBO role or red carpet appearance. A resurfaced video from 2019 has reignited conversation – this time showing the actress confidently firing a handgun at the renowned Taran Tactical Innovations training facility. According to Page Six, the footage was originally posted years ago but recently re-shared by the firearms company, where Sweeney was reportedly “training for a new project.” The clip, showing her nailing targets with solid reloads and smooth transitions, has been widely praised – particularly among conservative social media users.
Crowder: “Pretty Girl, Pretty Good With a Gun”
Steven Crowder, a well-known conservative commentator, covered the viral video in a recent segment on his show, calling it “a great moment” and even joking that Sweeney firing a gun “makes her more attractive.” Crowder emphasized her safety and skill, adding that whether or not it was her first time, she “handled it properly.”
Throughout his segment, Crowder repeatedly praised her gun-handling abilities and joked that any man who says a woman shooting doesn’t make her more attractive “is lying.” His commentary, while comedic and exaggerated, underscored how some on the right have fully embraced Sweeney as a sort of cultural icon – perhaps even unexpectedly so.
The American Eagle Ad Controversy Ignited the Fire
Much of this renewed attention started not because of the gun video itself, but because of American Eagle’s new ad campaign featuring Sweeney. The campaign plays on the phrase “great genes” (as in genetics) by twisting it into “great jeans.” In one ad, Sweeney corrects a poster to change the word “genes” to “jeans.”
Despite the cheeky wordplay, some left-wing voices on social media reacted harshly, calling the campaign a “Nazi dog whistle” and accusing it of promoting eugenics and white supremacy. Page Six reported that Sweeney’s gun range video was reposted shortly after this controversy, drawing a fresh wave of attention to her from a very different audience.
Republican Rumors Add Fuel to the Fire
Adding to the political spectacle, a voter registration record was uncovered showing a “Sydney Bernice Sweeney” registered as a Republican in Monroe County, Florida. Steven Crowder celebrated this during his segment, joking that “now I love her ad” and claiming it made her even more appealing.
However, it’s worth noting – there is no confirmed proof that this record belongs to the actress. Sweeney does own a home in Florida, and the name and date align, but she has never publicly confirmed or denied the political affiliation. So while it’s possible, it’s not confirmed – and treating it as fact is premature.
Crowder Leans In on the Cultural Shift
Crowder took the opportunity to frame Sweeney’s appearance and gun-handling as a broader shift in culture. He claimed that the left “needed therapy” over her ad and speculated that Sweeney’s unapologetic attitude was part of a “post-woke” generation. He also brought up a past controversy from 2022, when Sweeney faced backlash for a birthday party her family threw that included MAGA-style hats and “Blue Lives Matter” shirts.
At the time, she distanced herself from the imagery, explaining it wasn’t meant to be political. Crowder, however, used both events to position her as a symbol of young conservative acceptance, calling her “the hottest ad out there.”
The Gun Community Reacts – And Overreacts
Page Six noted that many of the commenters on the Taran Tactical video were “mostly male” and overwhelmingly positive, with many calling Sweeney “wifey material.” This isn’t unusual in the gun world, where celebrity shooters – especially women – tend to go viral fast.
That said, the attention sometimes gets awkwardly personal, and fans can blur the line between admiration and objectification. Crowder himself admitted the community might get “autistic” over technical details, before insisting Sweeney’s fundamentals were solid. Overall, both her form and safety seemed commendable – even to trained eyes.
Online Culture Wars in Full Swing
What started as a jeans ad quickly turned into a full-on battleground of cultural politics. Critics called the campaign fascist. Supporters hailed it as “patriotic.” Vice President J.D. Vance even chimed in, defending Sweeney by saying Democrats attacked her just for being beautiful. Meanwhile, Donald Trump reportedly loved the ad and called it “the HOTTEST ad out there.” In classic culture war fashion, it seems Sydney Sweeney unintentionally found herself at the center of a political storm without even saying a word.
Has Sweeney Ever Spoken Up About Any of This?
Interestingly, Sweeney hasn’t weighed in on the resurfaced gun video, the voter registration rumors, or the backlash from the American Eagle ad. And this isn’t new – she’s generally stayed quiet when controversy bubbles up. In 2022, after the birthday party incident, she released a short message saying the celebration was not politically motivated and asking people to stop making assumptions. Beyond that, she’s maintained a low profile on partisan issues, even though she has supported progressive causes like LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom in the past.
A Politically Ambiguous Starlet in Polarized Times
Sweeney’s silence might be her smartest move. In a time when celebrities are either hailed or canceled over the slightest misstep, she’s managed to walk a fine line. Her political alignment remains unclear. Yes, she’s been adjacent to right-leaning imagery and friends. Yes, she’s supported left-leaning causes. But she’s never gone fully public on either side. That may frustrate people looking for confirmation, but it also leaves room for interpretation – one reason why both sides keep trying to “claim” her.
Why This Moment Matters
Page Six’s decision to highlight Sweeney’s shooting skills alongside the jeans ad controversy speaks volumes. It shows how fame, politics, and personal hobbies collide in today’s America. For some, she’s now a conservative icon. For others, a disappointment. And for most? Just an actress doing her job – whether that’s shooting a scene or shooting steel targets.
Is This What Culture Has Come To?
It’s frankly bizarre that a woman shooting a gun and wearing a pair of jeans can become a national political talking point. But it also tells us something about the current state of public discourse: everything’s political – even things that shouldn’t be. What should have been a clever marketing pun turned into a national argument about race, beauty, and fascism. And what should’ve been an actress training for a role turned into right-wing fanfare. That doesn’t say much about Sweeney, but it says a lot about us.
The Bottom Line: Let Her Shoot in Peace
Whether she’s Republican or not. Whether she meant anything political with her ad or not. Whether she’s the second coming of Reagan or just a great actress with a sharp eye and good aim, Sydney Sweeney clearly knows how to handle herself at the gun range. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe we can let her enjoy the hobby without turning it into a cultural war. And if the world insists on dragging her into politics? At least she seems ready. Armed – figuratively and literally.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
