How Sydney Sweeney Went from Euphoria Star to MAGA and Alt-Right Icon Overnight
Sydney Sweeney, the actress famous for her role in Euphoria, has suddenly found herself at the center of a big internet controversy. It all started with a new American Eagle commercial that many people aren’t just talking about because of the jeans she’s wearing.
In the ad, Sweeney smiles and says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color… my jeans are blue.” The commercial plays on the words “genes” and “jeans,” but a lot of people online feel there’s something more behind the clever pun.
Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle, oh my god. pic.twitter.com/tDkeGT9R7G
— Sydney Sweeney Daily (@sweeneydailyx) July 24, 2025
Critics quickly accused the ad of having hidden racial messages. Some say it hints at eugenics, which is the idea that certain physical traits make people superior. Since Sydney is blonde, blue-eyed, and white, many believe the ad sends a dangerous signal. One TikTok video from user @thealtperspective has been watched almost two million times, calling the ad “literally an ad FULL of racist and fascist dog whistles.”
@thealtperspective also it’s all about her body AGAIN #americaneaglejeans #sydneysweeney #americaneagle ♬ original sound – american_gulf
Dr. Brett Staniland, a fashion expert, told Newsweek that the backlash is about “the terminology and its inferences suggesting a connection to Sydney Sweeney’s appearance being perfect, denoting her blonde hair, blue eyes and white skin.” For many, the ad’s words combined with Sydney’s look feel like a nod to old, harmful ideas about race and beauty.
But not everyone agrees with this view. Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, brushed off the criticism, calling it “dense liberal thinking” and said it was just “cancel culture run amok.”
Interestingly, the controversy did not hurt American Eagle’s sales or reputation. According to Quartz, the company’s stock jumped 17% just one day after the campaign started, adding around $400 million in value. So, despite all the negative attention, the ad worked in some ways.
After days of silence, American Eagle finally responded on Instagram. Their statement said, “Her jeans. Her story. We’ll keep celebrating how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, in their own way. Great jeans look good on everyone.” The ad seems inspired by Brooke Shields’ famous 1980 Calvin Klein commercial, which also caused a stir back in the day.
Still, many social media users weren’t convinced by American Eagle’s response. Some called the wordplay confusing or tone-deaf. Others felt the company was politely ignoring the serious concerns raised.
The situation got even more heated when former President Donald Trump spoke up. On his social media platform, Trump wrote, “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. Go get ’em, Sydney.” In another post, which he later deleted after misspelling her name, he said, “Being WOKE is for losers — being Republican is what you want to be.”
This led to more interest in Sydney’s political views. Public voter registration records, checked by Newsweek and other news sources, show that Sydney Sweeney has been a registered Republican in Florida since June 2024. According to the Florida Department of State, she registered in Monroe County on June 14, 2024, and remains active in the Republican Party there. This confirms she is officially eligible to vote in the state.
The news about her political affiliation first went viral from a post on X by user @time222smoke, who claimed Sydney was a Republican.
This isn’t the first time Sydney has faced political backlash. In 2022, she shared photos from her mother’s 60th birthday party, where some guests wore red hats similar to MAGA ones and “Blue Lives Matter” gear. Many saw this as a political statement, but Sydney quickly responded, saying, “An innocent celebration for my mom’s milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Please stop making assumptions.”
Her brother Trent later clarified that the hats said “Make Sixty Great Again,” not the well-known Trump slogan.
So far, Sydney hasn’t commented on her political registration or the new criticism over the American Eagle ad.
Another interesting side note is that an old video of Sydney showing off her shooting skills at a gun range recently went viral again. This came after Taran Tactical Innovations, a firearms company, shared the clip on Instagram along with the controversial American Eagle ad. Many people praised Sydney’s skills in the comments on both videos.
Despite all the drama, American Eagle’s business doesn’t seem hurt. Reports say the company’s stock rose about 4% after the ad campaign launched. For Sydney’s fans, the backlash is just another example of people trying to cancel someone because of their personal beliefs. For her critics, the mix of the ad’s message and her known Republican registration makes her seem connected to MAGA and alt-right ideas.
What ties all of this together is the way Sydney’s public image has become linked with right-wing politics and controversial ideas. The American Eagle ad, with its focus on “genes” and Sweeney’s classic “blonde and blue-eyed” look, sparked fears of racial messaging tied to white supremacy.
Then, her Republican registration and past association with MAGA-style events fueled the belief that she might be more involved with right-wing causes than she has openly admitted.
This combination of factors turned Sydney from just a popular actress into a symbol for some on the political right. Donald Trump’s public praise only added fuel to the fire, making her an unexpected face for the MAGA and alt-right movements in the eyes of many.
In the end, Sydney Sweeney’s story shows how quickly a celebrity can get pulled into political controversies, even when they haven’t directly addressed the issues. What started as a simple jeans ad turned into a debate about race, politics, and culture wars, with Sydney caught right in the middle.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
