President Trump just gave a big thumbs-up to Sydney Sweeney’s latest American Eagle campaign, and it’s not just about her jeans.
Fox News reported that American Eagle’s June 2024 campaign, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” sparked a firestorm with its billboard tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes,” while Trump cheered upon learning Sweeney’s a registered Republican.
The ad, meant to highlight denim, stirred controversy for perceived racial undertones, though supporters argue it’s just clever marketing. Public voter records from Monroe County, Florida, confirm Sweeney’s Republican affiliation, as reported by the New York Post.
The campaign launched earlier this week, plastering billboards with the now-infamous tagline. Social media lit up, with some users slamming it as “tone-deaf” for echoing eugenics-era language. Others, however, see it as a playful jab at oversensitive critics.
Critics on platforms like X didn’t hold back, claiming the “genes” line carries troubling historical baggage.
Supporters, quick to dismiss the outrage, argue it’s a harmless pun meant to sell jeans, not start a culture war. The backlash feels like another chapter in the progressive agenda’s quest to find offense in everything.
Sweeney herself leaned into the controversy with a sly move. In a promotional video on American Eagle’s Instagram, she crossed out “Genes” on a billboard and wrote “Jeans” instead. It’s a cheeky nod to the uproar, showing she’s not fazed by the noise.
Trump, never one to shy away from a cultural scrap, jumped in on Sunday with enthusiasm. “She’s a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad,” he said. His support flips the script on critics trying to paint the campaign as problematic.
Trump doubled down, noting the quiet strength of Republican voters. “You’d be surprised at how many people are Republicans,” he said, praising Sweeney’s ad as “fantastic.” His comments cut through the progressive fog, spotlighting a Hollywood star who aligns with conservative values.
Vice President JD Vance also waded into the fray, addressing the controversy on the “Ruthless” podcast last Friday.
He mocked Democrats’ strategy, saying they’re busy labeling anyone who finds Sweeney attractive as a “Nazi.” It’s a sharp zinger, exposing the left’s tendency to weaponize identity politics.
Vance’s point lands hard: the outrage over Sweeney’s ad feels like another overreach by the woke crowd. Calling a denim campaign racist because of a pun is the kind of mental gymnastics that alienates everyday Americans. The controversy risks turning a marketing win into a political lightning rod.
Sweeney, meanwhile, keeps it cool, spotted leaving The Plaza Hotel in New York City on June 4, 2025.
Her poise amid the storm suggests a star who knows how to handle the spotlight. She’s not just selling jeans—she’s challenging the cultural narrative.
The ad’s defenders argue it’s a refreshing pushback against stifling political correctness. They see Sweeney’s campaign as a bold move to reclaim humor in advertising. The “genes” line, they insist, is just a clever way to stand out in a crowded market.
Critics, though, aren’t buying it, doubling down on claims that the tagline is insensitive. Their argument hinges on historical connotations, but it feels like a stretch to paint a jeans ad as a dog whistle. The outrage seems more about control than genuine offense.
This whole saga underscores the deeper cultural divide gripping America. A simple ad campaign becomes a battleground for ideological tug-of-war, with Sweeney caught in the middle. Yet her Republican registration adds a layer of intrigue, signaling a shift in Hollywood’s usual left-leaning tide.
Trump’s endorsement and Vance’s quip amplify the story, turning a fashion campaign into a political statement. The left’s quick leap to racial accusations only fuels the right’s resolve to call out overreach. It’s a cycle that shows no sign of slowing.
