Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently weighed in on Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle jeans campaign calling it “fantastic” once he learned she is a registered Republican in Florida. Upon hearing this, Trump quipped, “Now I love her ad… If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared the ad the “HOTTEST” one out there and said the jeans are “flying off the shelves,” adding, “Go get ’em Sydney!” He lambasted so‑called “woke” brands like Bud Light and Jaguar, and even took aim at Taylor Swift, asserting that being “woke is for losers” while being a Republican is “what you want to be.”
The Ad That Sparked Controversy
The campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” opens with a poster reading “Sydney Sweeney has great genes”—the word genes is then crossed out and replaced with jeans. In one clip, Sweeney reclines and whispers, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue.” The camera then pivots to her blue eyes as a narrator proclaims, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Many critics have denounced the tagline and aesthetic, arguing it echoes eugenicist themes and reinforces narrow standards of beauty tied to whiteness. The campaign’s play on “genes” and the star’s all‑American looks—a blonde, blue‑eyed figure—has alarmed some observers who see it as tone‑deaf or even dangerous in broader political context.
Reactions from Critics and Conservatives
The backlash has been largely led by social media users and commentators. Some described the ad as “subtle 1930s Germany,” while others joked about “Eujeanics.” Yet voices on the right have rallied behind Sweeney and the ad. Vice President J.D. Vance sarcastically advised Democrats to continue labeling fans of Sweeney as Nazis—arguing that outrage over a “pretty girl doing a jeans ad” would win him support among young conservative men. White House communications director Steven Cheung called the critics’ response “cancel culture run amok” and blamed liberal overreaction for shaping the 2024 election.
Brand Response and Broader Implications
American Eagle has pushed back against claims of problematic messaging, stating: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story.” The company emphasized that the campaign is intended to celebrate confidence and inclusivity, saying: “Great jeans look good on everyone.” Despite the defense, the campaign has reignited debates over identity, political symbolism in advertising, and the limits of wordplay—especially in a climate where issues of race, gender, and beauty standards are heavily scrutinized.
Sydney Sweeney’s Political Identity
Public records from Monroe County, Florida, reveal that Sydney Sweeney registered as a Republican in June 2024, months before Trump’s re‑election. While she has not publicly endorsed Trump, the revelation quickly became a focal point after the commercial launched. This is not the first time her political leanings have made headlines: in 2022, she hosted a birthday party featuring MAGA‑style hats and “Blue Lives Matter” attire. Sweeney later said the outfits weren’t her idea and accused others of misinterpreting the event.
Why This Matters
Cultural symbolism. The campaign’s pun and visual aesthetic tapped into loaded associations—whether intentionally or not—and symbolized long‑standing cultural debates about race, beauty, and American identity. Celebrity politics. As a young actress with Hollywood prominence, Sweeney’s political affiliation and its influence on how the campaign is received illustrates the increasing entanglement of celebrity image with partisan identity. Advertising trends. The story underscores how brands can become lightning rods in polarized times, particularly when they feature politically or culturally resonant messaging—even indirectly.
