The internet reacted with a strange dissonance to Elon Musk’s recent comments about Sydney Sweeney, but the surprising part wasn’t the comments themselves. Musk has a history of provocative, often embarrassing, online behavior. It was what followed – a disturbing willingness to excuse the blatant objectification because of assumptions about Sweeney’s political beliefs.
It began with Musk sharing sexualized memes responding to footage of Sweeney at a film premiere. He escalated quickly, posting an AI-generated image suggesting her physique caused physical discomfort, followed by crude jokes. While criticism arose, it was overshadowed by a chilling undercurrent: the idea that Sweeney somehow *deserved* the attention.
On platforms like X and Reddit, users questioned the billionaire’s fixation on a younger woman, but a more insidious narrative quickly took hold. Comments suggested Sweeney, rumored to be a Republican, wasn’t bothered by the attention, or even welcomed it. This wasn’t simply disagreement; it was a justification for misogyny cloaked in political judgment.
For months, Sweeney’s appearance has been weaponized in a cultural debate, framed as evidence of a rejection of “wokeness” and a return to traditional Hollywood glamour. Her success and willingness to embrace conventional attractiveness were presented as a rebuke to body positivity and inclusivity. Her breasts, in this distorted view, became a symbol – an ideological statement rather than a part of a person.
This context explains the unsettling shift in reactions to Musk’s posts. Sympathy and outrage seemed to hinge on perceived political alignment. Previously, the internet was quick to defend Sweeney from relentless oversexualization. Now, with the assumption of conservative leanings, a disturbing silence descended.
The situation was further complicated by an earlier controversy surrounding an American Eagle campaign featuring Sweeney. A pun on “genes” sparked accusations of eugenics, amplified by reports of her Republican voter registration. Though she’s never publicly discussed her political views, others were quick to assign meaning to her body and her choices.
Even Donald Trump weighed in, praising the campaign and using it as a rallying cry against “woke” advertising. This helped solidify Sweeney’s image as a conservative cultural figure, a symbol to be claimed rather than an individual deserving of respect. The concern over how her body was discussed noticeably diminished in some progressive circles.
The implication was clear: if she held different beliefs, the usual rules didn’t apply. This is a dangerous precedent. Misogyny isn’t acceptable simply because someone holds different political views, and objectification doesn’t become harmless based on assumptions. To suggest otherwise isn’t progressive; it’s a deeply reactionary betrayal of feminist principles.
Musk’s comments weren’t offensive because of who Sydney Sweeney is, but because they reduced her to her anatomy and treated her as a source of amusement. The truly revealing aspect of this situation isn’t a billionaire behaving badly, but the ease with which his behavior was excused by those who would have otherwise defended any woman in the same position.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly political tribalism can erode empathy. Once a woman’s body becomes ideological property, basic decency is the first casualty, on all sides of the political spectrum. It’s a chilling illustration of how easily we justify harm when it’s directed at someone we disagree with.
