White House Defends Sydney Sweeney Amid Backlash Over Controversial American Eagle Ad

American Eagle’s “Great Jeans” campaign sparks accusations of racial insensitivity and eugenics undertones — prompting a heated national debate and a pointed rebuke from the White House

The White House has entered the fray over the growing backlash surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s latest American Eagle campaign, defending the actress and sharply criticizing liberal outrage over what some are calling racially charged messaging.

The campaign, cheekily titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” features the 27-year-old Euphoria star in a series of denim ads that play on the double meaning of “jeans” and “genes.” But what American Eagle likely intended as lighthearted wordplay has drawn significant criticism online — with some accusing the brand of promoting eugenics-adjacent ideals and white supremacy during a politically sensitive time.

In the most controversial ad, Sweeney reclines on a couch while fastening her jeans, saying:
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My genes are blue.”
A male narrator then concludes, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.“

Though the message seems innocuous at first glance, critics across social media platforms — particularly TikTok — have accused the campaign of idealizing white genetic traits through a veiled celebration of white, thin, traditionally feminine beauty standards.

TikTok user @jessbritvich argued that the ad functions as more than just playful marketing. “It’s more than a cheeky wordplay — it’s a dog whistle,” she said. “This ad says Sydney has a great body and therefore great genes — a product of genetic superiority. It echoes white purity politics, especially during a time of rising fascism in America.“

The criticism has gone viral, prompting responses from both conservative commentators and, unexpectedly, the White House.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung took to social media on Tuesday to denounce the backlash, calling it “cancel culture run amok” and a reflection of liberal overreach.

“This warped, moronic, and dense liberal thinking is a big reason why Americans voted the way they did in 2024,” Cheung posted. “They’re tired of this bull—-.”

Conservative media figure Megyn Kelly also weighed in during a segment of The Megyn Kelly Show, defending Sweeney and mocking the accusations of racism.
“She’s advertising jeans,” Kelly said, “not white supremacy. They think choosing a white, blonde, blue-eyed woman is somehow eugenics, when really it’s just marketing based on her body — the thing she’s most famous for.*”

Yet that very defense reinforces what critics are pointing out. They argue that highlighting Sweeney — a white, thin, blue-eyed celebrity — as the visual embodiment of “great genes” is not an apolitical choice, especially in the context of American culture and history. Some see the ad as tone-deaf in a nation grappling with race, representation, and the politicization of beauty standards.

Sweeney, who has previously faced criticism over her family’s alleged association with MAGA-themed celebrations, has not commented on the controversy. Nor has American Eagle issued a formal statement.

The debate has ignited broader questions about the intersection of branding, politics, and cultural context. As @jessbritvich said in her video, “Marketing doesn’t happen in a vacuum.” She suggested that corporations must be more mindful of the societal messages their campaigns may — intentionally or not — convey.

For now, the campaign continues to circulate, dividing public opinion and once again proving that in 2025, even a jeans ad can spark a national culture war.