A segment on Fox News has ignited a firestorm by suggesting that women appear more attractive when they are perceived as Republicans, using actress Sydney Sweeney as a focal point. The discussion on Jesse Watters Primetime this Wednesday veered into controversial territory, linking physical appeal to political affiliation.
The Fox News Commentary on Politics and Appearance
The conversation was prompted by media scrutiny of Sydney Sweeney's hairstyles during her promotional tour for recent films, including the box office disappointment "Christy" and "The Housemaid." Jesse Watters introduced the topic by referencing media claims of a "Mar-a-Lago makeover" for the actress, stating it was "driving liberals loca."
Watters highlighted critical remarks from former MSNBC host Krystal Ball, who accused Sweeney of wanting to appeal to "right-wing, ethnocentric white nationalists" and called her "embarrassing and pathetic." Fox Business contributor Katrina Campins then reframed this criticism into a praise of both Sweeney and the Republican party.
"She's getting hotter and they are so jealous," Campins declared. "They're like, 'She is so Republican.' She gets hotter by the minute, right. So my advice to all of the ladies, our side is better and you get hotter. All Republican women are hot. Tell me that's not true."
Watters agreed, concluding, "That is true. So when you register Republican, you just get hotter."
Sweeney's Rise and the Surrounding Controversies
Sweeney's ascent in Hollywood has been accompanied by persistent speculation about her politics. Reports indicate she is registered as a Republican, a detail that has fueled much of the discourse. Her public image received notable, if contentious, endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who praised a jeans advertisement that highlighted her blonde hair and blue eyes.
The debate intensified following Sweeney's appearance on The Tonight Show on Monday, where critics said her hairstyle emitted "MAGA vibes." Furthermore, fellow actor Ruby Rose launched a shocking personal attack against Sweeney last month.
Rose, who was once attached to play Christy Martin's girlfriend in the film "Christy," criticized Sweeney's team for defending the movie's poor box office performance. "For her PR to talk about it flopping and saying SS did it for the 'people,'" Rose wrote. "None of 'the people' want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us."
In a direct rebuke, Rose added, "You're a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better."
Broader Implications of Politicizing Personal Image
The Fox News segment underscores a growing trend of intertwining celebrity culture with partisan politics, often reducing complex public figures to simplistic political symbols. The comments made by Watters and Campins have been widely criticized for their superficial and reductive nature, reducing a woman's value and appeal to her perceived political party membership.
This incident highlights the intense polarization in media commentary, where even a celebrity's hairstyle can become a battleground for political point-scoring. The backlash from figures like Ruby Rose also points to deep divisions within the entertainment industry itself regarding representation and political alignment.
As Sydney Sweeney continues to promote her work, including her appearance at a New York screening for "The Housemaid" on December 2, 2025, the conversation around her seems irrevocably tied not just to her acting, but to a fraught political identity she may or may not fully embrace.