Sydney Sweeney MAGA Controversy: What, How, and When Did It All Happen? Explained

Published 11/03/2024, 2:21 AM EST

Sydney Sweeney may be the hottest ticket in Tinseltown, but with such an audacious climb to the top, skeptics are just as many as her believers. With the political whirlwind that has caught the starry constellation of the entertainment capital in crossfires, each new day brings bouts of conflict. And despite being on the sidelines most of the time, Sweeney’s infamous MAGA controversy has returned like a stagnant residue after filtration. 

A year back, this MAGA drama returned all over the tabloids, and even now, it still pops up in the sea of political debates. Thus, here is the full scoop on what went down for anyone out of the loop.

What was the MAGA controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney? Where did it begin?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In 2022, Sydney Sweeney went all out to celebrate her mother’s birthday. But little did she know, the birthday celebrations would soon churn out negative fodder from the tabloids, with a relentless backlash from netizens. The Euphoria actor found herself neck-deep in a sea of controversy and criticism after uploading her mother’s birthday pictures with her family and friends donning MAGA-inspired hats and Blue Lives Matter merchandise. 

The birthday party seemed to have a rodeo theme, though some guests wore attire that raised concerns. While there was no overt political messaging, some wore hats with the phrase “Make 60 Great Again,” a parody of the “Make America Great Again” slogan associated with Donald Trump’s campaign, and at least one guest wore a Blue Lives Matter t-shirt. This sparked significant backlash, with many pointing out how the context could be seen as insensitive, especially in the celebratory setting.

Sydney Sweeney Gained, but Another Hero Lost: Tom Holland’s ‘Spider-Man 4’ Sad Update Squashes Fan Dreams

Sweeney attempted to downplay the situation and emphasized that she never meant to turn her mom’s milestone into an “absurd political statement.” But it was not until last year she detailed the conflict publicly.

Sydney Sweeney’s explanation of the 2022 MAGA controversy

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

After the polyglot actor faced worldwide criticism following the unveiling of her mother’s birthday celebrations, Sydney Sweeney’s mitigation did not help the cause. If anything, fans turned all the more against her for reasoning with it. However, she spoke to Variety last year, in a little more detail, reflecting on the surge of “misinterpretations” the snaps prompted. “The people in the pictures weren’t even my family,” Sweeney set the record straight.

Sweeney clarified that the individuals in the photos sporting MAGA hats were her “mom’s friends,” who did not really consider the parody deeply and thought “it would just be funny.” The actor added that the friends who brought the merchandise have children who walk the pride parade and consequently, thought it was a funny nod since they were going to Idaho. While Sweeney was composed in addressing the conflict, she expressed her frustration over the public scrutiny she faced, as she felt she took the hardest hit despite not being the one who slipped.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

After Madison Beer’s Viral Hair Gloss Trick, the Secret to Sydney Sweeney's Luscious Locks Revealed

Did you know about the MAGA controversy involving Sydney Sweeney? Let us know in the comments below!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Anushka Bhattacharya

1465 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK