Imagine a fashion ad sparking a political firestorm, with accusations of eugenics, presidential endorsements, and a surge in stock prices. That’s exactly what happened when actress Sydney Sweeney found herself at the center of a controversy over an American Eagle ad campaign. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: despite the uproar, Sweeney claims she barely noticed the backlash. In a recent GQ interview, she revealed she simply ‘put her phone away’ during the height of the drama, which saw critics slamming the ad for its perceived eugenics undertones—all while right-wing figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance rallied behind it. Trump even dubbed it the ‘HOTTEST ad out there’ on Truth Social, sending American Eagle’s stock soaring after an initial dip in foot traffic. And this is the part most people miss: Sweeney described the presidential support as ‘surreal,’ yet she remained unfazed, insisting the saga ‘didn’t affect me one way or the other.’ She also refused to engage with claims that the ad trivialized genetic superiority, stating, ‘When I have an issue I want to speak about, people will hear.’
The ad, released in July, featured Sweeney punning on ‘genes’ and ‘jeans,’ with the tagline ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.’ American Eagle defended the campaign, insisting it was always about the denim, not genetics. While foot traffic dropped nearly 9% year-over-year, web traffic surged, and sales remained steady. But here’s where it gets controversial: Conservatives blasted the ‘woke’ backlash, and Trump’s endorsement alone caused a 23% jump in stock prices. By September, American Eagle reported Q2 revenue of $1.28 billion, with shares surging 30%. Sweeney dismissed reports of the company’s struggles as ‘all made up.’
Now, for the twist: Amid the chaos, it emerged that Sweeney had registered as a Republican voter in Florida months before Trump’s 2024 election. When Trump learned this, he gushed, ‘Oh, now I love her ad even more!’ This revelation reignited a two-year-old controversy over Sweeney being photographed with people in MAGA-style hats, prompting her to plead with fans to ‘stop making assumptions.’ In a later GQ interview, she admitted, ‘Honestly, I feel like nothing I say can help the conversation,’ and she’s remained silent on her voter registration. So, here’s the question for you: Was the ad’s backlash justified, or was it an overreaction? And does Sweeney’s political affiliation—real or perceived—change how you view her role in this saga? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
