Will It Ever Be Cool to Be Conservative?

Key Takeaways

American pop culture is currently experiencing a perceived "right-wing moment" challenging traditional Hollywood norms.
The rise of new media platforms creates a fragmented landscape where unconventional views can gain significant traction.
Celebrities like Sydney Sweeney and Taylor Swift navigate complex interactions between their public image, political perceptions, and commercial success.
Despite a growing right-leaning celebrity ecosystem, openly identifying as conservative in Hollywood is still often perceived as "uncool."
The lines between offensive humor, transgressive art, and explicit political agendas are increasingly blurred in contemporary cultural discourse.

Ross Douthat joined Popcast hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli to discuss a perceived right-wing moment in American pop culture.
The conversation addressed whether it is truly possible for a celebrity to be openly conservative in Hollywood.
The increasing alignment of pop culture with current political trends, including the rise of figures like Sydney Sweeney, was noted.
The discussion touched on cultural themes and the political leanings of media, citing examples like the show 'Andor'.

Sydney Sweeney's career spans roles in 'Euphoria,' 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'Reality,' and the film 'Immaculate,' which critiques the Catholic Church.
An American Eagle jeans ad controversy saw online backlash largely manufactured or amplified by right-wing sentiment.
Sweeney's actions, including registering as a Republican, are seen by some as signaling a willingness to engage with conservative ideas and audiences.
Her public image is positioned at the intersection of new media and traditional Hollywood, attracting complex online reactions.

Taylor Swift's album, focusing on themes of domesticity and relationships, is being interpreted by some as 'small C conservative' in the current cultural climate.
Swift has publicly campaigned for Democrats, while Sydney Sweeney's more implied ideological leanings appear to appeal to a right-leaning base.
Despite fitting 'left Hollywood,' Sweeney's projects like 'Anyone But You' have not performed well commercially, unlike Swift's broader appeal.
The discussion highlights Hollywood's declining cultural influence and sales, affecting even big stars' commercial performance.

Despite her 'non-woke' projects, Sydney Sweeney does not openly identify as conservative in Hollywood.
Being an overtly conservative celebrity is still perceived as "lame" in Hollywood circles.
A right-leaning celebrity ecosystem exists, exemplified by figures like Dave Chappelle and Joe Rogan, who often avoid direct political labels.
The emergence of internet-driven celebrities is seen as potentially paving the way for more open conservative expression in entertainment.

Donald Trump's impact is highlighted as providing a route for celebrities to align with right-leaning beliefs while maintaining a "cool" image, particularly in rap music.
NBA Youngboy's "Make America Slime Again" tour and explicit support for Trump demonstrate a connection between youth culture, political messaging, and celebrity success.
Trump's support among young people of color, through actions like pardoning rappers, has created a "free so-and-so" political identity.
The conversation questions whether "cool" culture is embracing explicitly right-wing ideas, even without direct Republican affiliation, driven by a coalition fed up with progressive culture.

An emerging right-wing counterculture is noted, with its own literary factions, contrasting with historical trends where fascism discredited edgy right-wing aesthetics.
Dasha Nekrasova, co-host of the 'Red Scare' podcast, faced professional repercussions, including being dropped from a film, after hosting white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
Nekrasova stated she felt already blacklisted due to past appearances with figures like Alex Jones and Steve Bannon.
Nick Fuentes has become a focal point for drawing lines within the right-wing ecosystem, which can platform genuinely toxic figures despite its dynamic growth.

The current cultural environment features more fluid guardrails, leading to a discovery process of where lines are drawn for controversial figures.
A distinction is made between offensive humor and speech with a concrete political agenda, with Nick Fuentes cited as an example of the latter.
The conversation questions whether the performance of edgy content, particularly on platforms like 'Red Scare,' prioritizes theater over politics.
It explores the relationship between offense, dehumanization, and policy, debating if offensive jokes about sensitive topics equate to advocating for a white nationalist state.

The podcast examines the rehabilitation of artists with controversial politics, using Mel Gibson as an example who maintained a career through acclaimed work like 'Passion of the Christ' and 'Apocalypto'.
Clint Eastwood is presented as another example of an artist who navigated criticism for political statements and achieved re-acceptance through creative output.
The discussion explores the idea that creative work can allow for a comeback after "cancellation," with cumulative infractions and cultural capital playing roles.
The effectiveness of "canceled culture" in the pop cultural sphere is questioned, with financial success noted as a factor insulating content creators from external pressure.

Conservative pop culture faces challenges gaining mainstream traction, attributed to a perceived lack of prominent talent.
The upcoming Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, a vocal artist with political stances, highlights the difficulty for conservative artists to match such cultural draw.
Turning Point USA's counter-programming efforts suggest a struggle to compete with mainstream events.
Institutional transformation in Hollywood is suggested as necessary for celebrities to openly align with conservatism, as alternate institutions like Turning Point USA offer a limited pathway.