Pete Hegseth Mocked Online for ‘Thirst Trap’ Take on Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Good Jeans’ Ad — Critics Call It Cringeworthy

Media & Culture Correspondent

Conservative commentator and Fox News host Pete Hegseth has found himself at the center of a fresh wave of internet mockery after posting what critics are calling a “cringeworthy thirst trap” — a parody of Sydney Sweeney’s viral ‘good jeans’ ad for American Eagle.

Hegseth, 45, shared a photo of himself posing in denim jeans, arms crossed and smirking at the camera, with the caption:

“Pete Hegseth has good jeans. 🇺🇸 #PatriotFit”

Almost immediately, the post exploded on social media — not with applause, but with a mix of confusion, secondhand embarrassment, and widespread mockery.

A Conservative Twist on a Viral Moment

The inspiration for Hegseth’s post came from a recent and highly controversial ad campaign by American Eagle, featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, best known for her roles in Euphoria and Anyone But You. In the campaign, the actress posed in jeans with the tagline:

“Sydney Sweeney has good jeans” — a cheeky double entendre that played on both her appearance and her all-American image.

The campaign sparked intense online debate. While some praised Sweeney’s confident portrayal, others criticized the brand for objectifying her, igniting a cultural conversation that quickly got political.

When it was revealed that the 27-year-old actress is a registered Republican voter in Florida, she unexpectedly found herself embraced by conservative figures and even associated with the Trump 2024 campaign, despite her silence on the matter.

Hegseth Enters the Chat

Never one to shy away from controversy, Hegseth — a decorated military veteran turned Fox News personality — attempted to join the viral moment with his own tongue-in-cheek spin.

In his now-notorious Instagram post, Hegseth poses in snug jeans, echoing Sweeney’s pose. But rather than attracting praise, commenters quickly dubbed it a “midlife thirst trap” and “the most dad-joke thing to happen in politics this year.”

Responses ranged from sarcastic to scathing:

“Sydney Sweeney did not die for this.”
“I just lost 10 brain cells.”
“Is this real? Or did The Onion hack his account?”
“My eyes are bleeding. Please stop.”

Even some conservative followers cringed at the attempt to capitalize on Sweeney’s viral moment, calling the post “weirdly performative” and “not the flex you think it is.”

A Pattern of Public Controversy

Pete Hegseth is no stranger to headlines — often for reasons that extend beyond politics. The Fox News weekend host has been embroiled in several personal and professional controversies over the years, ranging from on-air gaffes to high-profile divorces and accusations of unprofessional behavior.

His critics argue that the latest stunt is just another attempt to stay relevant in the social media age, where political commentators often moonlight as influencers.

“Hegseth sees himself as a culture warrior,” said one media analyst. “But increasingly, his tactics veer more into meme territory than meaningful discourse.”

Sydney Sweeney Silent Amid Political Hijacking

For her part, Sydney Sweeney has remained silent amid the right-wing embrace of her image and voting record. While she’s never made public statements endorsing any party or candidate, the news of her Republican registration has sparked waves of speculation — much of it unwanted.

Sweeney’s brand team reportedly declined to comment on her political affiliation, emphasizing instead that the American Eagle campaign was fashion-focused and not politically motivated.

That hasn’t stopped several MAGA influencers and personalities from trying to associate with her name — and Hegseth’s post appears to be the most tone-deaf example to date.

Backlash or Brand?

Despite the mockery, some suggest that Hegseth’s goal may have been achieved. In the media landscape of 2025, viral attention — even the bad kind — can be brand-building.

“This is classic outrage marketing,” said political branding expert Tara Hollis. “Make a post so bizarre that it goes viral, lean into the criticism, and keep your name in the news cycle.”

Whether Hegseth will address the backlash or simply let the internet meme machine do its work remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the post isn’t being forgotten anytime soon.

As one viral tweet summed it up:

“Somewhere, Sydney Sweeney is blocking Pete Hegseth from her ‘Close Friends’ list as we speak.”