Glen Powell finally reacts to his famous John Politics meme

Glen Powell has inspired more memes than many Hollywood actors, but his latest and perhaps biggest is called "John Politics," the nickname for his embalmed, diplomatic alter ego.

In the image, Powell is wearing a suit with an American flag pin, and he's smizing for the camera with a shiny glaze over his hair and face, embellishing his cheekbones and forehead. It was taken by photographer Bobby Doherty for a GQ photo shoot in September 2025, but it has since taken on a life of its own online.

Powell tells USA TODAY that people have told him about the meme, but he's not well-versed in its online life. "I actually don't know what it is. I just know that I'm sweaty and greasy," he says. "I'm probably not the one to understand it, but I'm honored, I think."

Popular captions for the meme joke about male authority figures like dads and uncles ordering the viewer to do ludicrous tasks. Powell's (or Politics') ridiculous yet authoritative stare represents the firm subject. "How gym teachers look at you when you don't want to run 12 miles at 8:24 am sharp," reads one popular TikTok post with over 386,000 likes.

Others are dressing…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/