A 2019 video of Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney showing off her skills at a gun range has resurfaced online and gone viral, just days after her political affiliation as a registered Republican was revealed and her controversial American Eagle ad was pulled from social media.
In the clip, which began circulating widely this week, Sweeney is seen effortlessly hitting multiple dummy targets in rapid succession. Her stance remains firm and focused as each bullet lands with precision, showing no flinch despite the recoil. The footage was reportedly taken during weapons training for a past film role, though the exact project remains unspecified.
Political affiliation fuels internet frenzy
The timing of the video’s resurgence coincides with an ongoing social media storm surrounding the 27-year-old actress. As The New York Post reported, Sweeney has been a registered Republican in Monroe County, Florida, since June 2024, according to public voter records.
The revelation added fuel to an already heated controversy over her July advertisement with American Eagle. Critics online accused the ad of having “eugenics undertones,” pointing to its focus on Sweeney’s physical appearance and the tagline that read: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
The resurfaced gun range video also caught the attention of Fox & Friends, where co-host Lawrence Jones openly praised the footage on air.
“You love to see it,” Jones said. “For me, as a single guy, anytime I see a young woman that can shoot, her value goes up. That means I can take her home to Texas … That means when I’m away from the family, she’s gonna protect the family. And I think this is beautiful.”
His comments were immediately picked up across social media, with some viewers echoing the sentiment and others calling it reductive.
Public backlash and heckling at Film Screening
While Sweeney herself has not addressed the ad backlash publicly, TMZ reported that she was heckled at the screening of her upcoming film Americana on Monday night. A member of the audience reportedly shouted, “Stop the ad, that is being racist!” as Sweeney exited the venue. She did not respond and was seen leaving quietly in a vehicle.
American Eagle stands by the campaign, then pulls it
American Eagle initially defended the ad with a statement that read: “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her Jeans. Her Story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way.” However, following the mounting criticism, the brand has since removed the promotional video from all of its social media platforms.
Trump applauds Sweeney
Amid the political stir, President Donald Trump publicly voiced support for Sweeney, turning her Republican registration into a rallying point.
He said in a post on Truth Social, where he contrasted Sweeney with pop star Taylor Swift: “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves.’ Go get ‘em Sydney!”
“Or just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift. Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying TRUTH that I can’t stand her (HATE!). She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT. The tide has seriously turned — Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Sweeney rose to stardom with gritty roles in HBO’s Euphoria and The White Lotus, often portraying complicated characters with tough emotional exteriors. The gun range video — showcasing her real-life physical grit, has now become part of a broader conversation around celebrity politics, body image, and media perception.
As debate rages on about what the ad meant and whether her political views should matter, the internet seems to be watching every move, and every shot, Sweeney takes.
And in 2025 America, sometimes a well-aimed bullet trends faster than a blockbuster.
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