American Eagle Defends Sydney Sweeney Jeans Ad Amid Racial Controversy

American Eagle's recent advertising campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney with the tagline "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" has sparked significant controversy due to its wordplay on "jeans" and "genes." Critics, particularly on the left, have accused the ad of containing racial undertones and dog-whistling white supremacy, citing Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes as evoking eugenics themes. The campaign, however, has received support from conservative figures who view the backlash as an overreaction and a cultural war flashpoint, praising the brand for standing firm against what they call the "woke mob." American Eagle has responded by emphasizing that the campaign is solely about the jeans and promoting inclusivity, even showcasing Black models wearing the same jeans, while Sydney Sweeney has not publicly commented on the dispute. The campaign has nonetheless boosted American Eagle's stock and visibility, highlighting the polarized reactions across social media where some see it as clever wordplay and others as a harmful message. Additionally, the campaign includes a charitable component, donating proceeds from the "Sydney Jean" to domestic violence support, though this aspect has been largely overshadowed by the controversy.