The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom for those entering, or already residing in, the United States. The statue, which depicts the Roman goddess Libertas holding a torch in one hand and a tablet that lists the date of the Declaration of Independence in the other, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country and a widely used symbol in pop culture. Does the statue represent one political party? In previous years, many people would say no, because the statue represents America as a whole. But now that we’re living in the alternate dimension known as 2017, anything goes.
On Wednesday, Vogue posted a series of photographs on Instagram promoting the September issue of the magazine. One of their September covers, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, shows the American actress Jennifer Lawrence casually leaning back on the railing of a boat, with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Usually, the heated arguments about fashion magazine covers revolve around extensive Photoshop jobs or the clothing and accessories used in the shoot. But John Carney, who leads Breitbart’s finance and economics coverage, decided that the use of the statue was an “attack” on those who support President Donald Trump.
“We’re going to have to create a full #MAGA shadow cultural industry because the Opposition Media can’t even do fashion without attacking us,” he tweeted with a link to the Vogue cover.
https://twitter.com/carney/status/895689228146946050
He suggested a new fashion section for Breitbart.
https://twitter.com/carney/status/895690620118945792
Lawrence isn’t a fan of Trump, but she told Vogue that she supports closing the political divide.
“We can’t continue this divide and anger. There are issues affecting us as human beings, not as liberals and not as Republicans. We have to protect the foundation of this country, and acceptance. If you’re preaching acceptance, accept immigrants, accept Muslims, accept everybody.”
The fact that Lawrence is supportive of immigration AND appears in a photo with the Statue of Liberty was apparently too much for Carney.
https://twitter.com/carney/status/895699523246456832
Many people on Twitter were confused with the uproar over the photo.
When you think the Statue of Liberty is an attack. (also when you think the administration is "us") https://t.co/75fVjR6SGf
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) August 10, 2017
Confused 😐Vogue and Statue of Liberty are essential and part of American life https://t.co/nA59kP9yUs
— Robyn (@Robyn_leigh11) August 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/midwest_monster/status/895732247998992386
Please be advised, all photos of the Statue of Liberty must now be accompanied by a trigger warning, thank you https://t.co/iKD4cWSgwq
— Christopher Ingraham🦗 (@_cingraham) August 10, 2017
So the first instinct now in seeing an image of the Statue of Liberty is that conservatives are under attack? https://t.co/tst3ZnvBhj
— Matt Viser (@mviser) August 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/thecascott/status/895721904169811968
https://twitter.com/pattymo/status/895706119749894144
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/895693883354394624
So who can use a photo of the Statue of Liberty? (Anyone.) What does it mean if you take a photo of her? No one agrees!
Now enjoy the rest of Lawrence’s Vogue photo shoot.
Jennifer Lawrence with horses is my aesthetic pic.twitter.com/983m2ySOEO
— lydia (@claflinart) August 9, 2017
Horses aren’t a political symbol in 2017. Yet.