The public stage comes with public opinions

Art by Sarah Polster

For thousands of years people have been influenced by political, religious, intellectual and cultural figures. Today, through social media and ways for global connection, influence is more immediate and powerful than ever before. A single post can reach millions within the span of minutes. In this climate, influence cannot be passive.

Entertainers, athletes, artists and even seemingly ordinary individuals with large platforms are commonly referred to as influencers. They shape trends, conversations and sometimes political views. With such significant cultural power, the question is no longer if influential people affect politics. The question is whether they should acknowledge that they do.

Some argue that public figures are entertainers. Nothing more. Actress Sydney Sweeney publicly responded to accusations about her political reputation as “MAGA Barbie” in an interview with Cosmopolitan. 

“I’m in the arts. I'm not here to speak on politics… That's not an area I've ever even imagined getting into.” Sweeney said.

Sweeney’s response reflects a circulating belief that celebrities should remain separate from political discussions.

However, influence does not disappear when someone refuses to comment. Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign released in July of 2025 sparked major amounts of controversy around the slogan, “Sydney Sweeney has Great Jeans”. The slogan has been interpreted as promoting eugenics because of “jeans” being a homophone for “genes”. Whether intentional or not, the backlash demonstrated that public influence operates beyond direct political statements. Her reserved view did not shield her from political interpretations. 

This idea reveals a reality explaining silence is not neutral. When influential figures avoid political topics during divisive moments, they don't remove themselves from politics. Instead, they create an opportunity for audiences to speculate, projection and narrative. Audiences assign meaning to their silence and influence continues without accountability. Choosing not to speak is still a decision that can shape public perception of information. 

This truth applies regardless of the ideology. With a situation regarding Keanu Reeves, who has shared his views on social issues like kindness, equality and humanitarian causes often seen as left leaning, has never explicitly aligned himself with liberalism nor any political party. Reeve's absence of stating his beliefs firmly prevented discussion surrounding political views for his countless followers. Endorsement of a certain political party allows for fans to align or repel themselves with certain ideals.

At the same time, when influential figures choose to speak, their impact is loud. Taylor Swift encouraged voter registration through an instagram post after her Eras Tour to her 272 million followers. 

"I've been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my U.S. shows recently. I've heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are… Make sure you're ready to use them in our elections this year!" wrote Swift. 

Her post included a link to register at Vote.org. Afterward, the organization is said to have recorded more than 35,000 registrations. Whether agreeing with her politics or not, this example is a direct demonstration of how influence affects political engagement. 

The issue is not about if influencers should condemn conservatism or promote liberalism. It is whether individuals with massive platforms have a responsibility to acknowledge the political weight they possess. Stating a belief openly allows audiences to open their minds to familiar, or new ideas. In contrast, silence allows presumed assumptions to go unchecked. 

Public figures often claim a neutral stance in the face of politics in order to protect their brand. It is true that political speech carries risk but so does deliberate silence. In an advancing age like today, refusing to clarify stance does not remove political influence. It simply becomes obscured and twisted.

Politics shape laws, rights and opportunities. When millions of people listen to you, your words matter and so does your absence of them. Influence is naturally political because it shapes the lives of people and communities.