Source: Semafor
by David Weigel
“Throughout the summer, Republican candidates and campaigns have repeatedly tried to link Democrats to decisions made and opinions aired by liberals [sic] who are nowhere near elected office. It’s all about capitalizing on the nervousness inside a party that’s increasingly concerned about being viewed by voters as over-educated culture police. For instance: No Democrat with any power criticized American Eagle for a jeans ad starring the blonde actress Sydney Sweeney, which made a pun about her genes. None endorsed a re-brand by Cracker Barrel, a restaurant chain that hired a new CEO after its stock plunged in 2023. (The Democratic National Committee’s X account, reacting to anger at the re-brand, posted that it ‘sucks.’) Yet Republicans all the way up to President Donald Trump mocked liberal [sic] posters and pundits who were offended by the Sweeney ad. The GOP also blamed left-wing culture for Cracker Barrel’s bland makeover.” (08/25/25)