A wave of controversy has hit after actress Sydney Sweeney appeared in an ad campaign for American Eagle with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate, expressing his approval of the ad after being informed that Sweeney is reportedly a registered Republican.
“Actress Sydney Sweeney — it came out this weekend that she’s a registered Republican,” a reporter said to Trump, prompting his enthusiastic response: “She is a registered Republican, oh now I love her ad… You’d be surprised at how many people are Republicans … I’m glad you told me that.”
He added, “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic!”
Trump’s remarks follow online backlash toward Sweeney over her political affiliation. Voter records from Florida, accessed by HT.com, list one Sydney B Sweeney registered with the Republican Party of Florida in 2024. While the actress’s middle name is Bernice, HT.com could not independently verify whether the person listed in the records is indeed the actress.
When asked earlier by Newsmax anchor Rob Finnerty about the American Eagle ad and the criticism it has drawn for allegedly referencing eugenics with the phrase “great jeans,” Trump pivoted to another controversial ad campaign—this time involving transgender actor Dylan Mulvaney, who partnered with Bud Light in 2023.
“That was one of the great disasters of all time,” Trump said. “It knocked 35 million dollars off the value of a certain company… I would say it was probably the most unsuccessful ad, worst ad ever.”
The American Eagle campaign has sparked significant online debate. Critics have labeled it “tone-deaf,” with some interpreting the “great jeans” slogan as a subtle nod to eugenics and white supremacy.
Sweeney has yet to comment publicly, but American Eagle defended the campaign in a statement posted on Instagram: “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans,” the brand said.
“Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
