Trump Endorses Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Jeans Ad Amid Eugenics Debate

Sydney Sweeney's recent American Eagle jeans advertisement, which played on the homophone 'genes' and included references to genetic traits, sparked controversy over alleged eugenics undertones and racial implications. Critics argued that the ad echoed discredited racist theories, while supporters defended it as a straightforward campaign about denim, with American Eagle affirming the focus was always on jeans and confidence. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the ad and Sweeney, highlighting her status as a registered Republican and praising the campaign as the "hottest" with jeans "flying off the shelves," which coincided with a 23.3% surge in American Eagle's stock. Trump contrasted this with criticism of other brands and celebrities he labeled as "woke," including Jaguar, Bud Light, and Taylor Swift, framing a broader cultural stance against wokeness and in favor of Republican values. Social media discussions and political alignments have intertwined with the commercial debate, making the ad a flashpoint for broader cultural and political discourse. Sweeney herself has not publicly commented extensively on her political affiliation despite media confirmation of her Republican registration.