Sydney Sweeney refuses to apologize for her “Great Jeans” ad after Nazi controversy — Trump and JD Vance publicly defend her.
Sydney Sweeney isn’t backing down.
Months after her American Eagle “Great Jeans” campaign sparked outrage online — with critics accusing it of promoting racist undertones — the Euphoria star has finally spoken out. And she’s not apologizing.
The ad, which debuted in July 2025, featured the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” a cheeky play on the word “genes.” But what was supposed to be a lighthearted denim campaign quickly turned into a political firestorm. Progressive groups slammed the tagline as a “dog whistle” for eugenics and white supremacy, while others called it “tone-deaf” given Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes.
Sweeney, 28, addressed the controversy in a new GQ profile, calling the uproar “surreal” and saying it “didn’t affect me one way or the other.” She also refused to apologize, emphasizing that the backlash didn’t reflect reality.
“I did a jean ad,” she said flatly. “When I saw all the headlines about store visits being down — none of it was true.”
From Outrage to Outperformance
Ironically, the controversy only made the campaign more successful. According to American Eagle, the “Great Jeans” promotion generated over 40 billion impressions and caused sales of Sweeney’s featured denim to sell out within a week.
Even more striking — American Eagle’s stock reportedly jumped 25% in after-hours trading after the company credited Sweeney’s ad for a major rise in customer engagement and sales.
CEO Jay Schottenstein praised the campaign for its “cultural resonance,” adding that it “connected with audiences in an authentic, exciting way.”
Politics Enters the Chat
As the controversy grew, it caught the attention of some powerful figures — including President Donald Trump, who praised the ad on his social media platform.
“The HOTTEST ad out there. Go get ’em, Sydney!” Trump wrote, sending the internet into a frenzy.
Vice President JD Vance also came to Sweeney’s defense, blasting progressives for “turning a normal jeans ad into a political issue.”
The actress, who reportedly registered as a Republican in Florida, didn’t directly address her political affiliation. But she made one thing clear: she doesn’t mix politics with her acting career.
“I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think,” she told GQ. “I’m just here to kind of open their eyes to different ideas.”
A Hollywood Rebel in the Age of Activism
In an industry where stars are often vocal about politics, Sweeney’s “stay out of it” stance stands out. While many celebrities have used their fame to promote social or political causes, Sweeney has chosen to remain largely neutral — unless it’s something she deeply cares about.
That approach has divided fans. Some see her as a refreshing voice of independence; others accuse her of dodging accountability.
Still, there’s no denying her cultural influence. The American Eagle ad may have stirred up controversy, but it also proved her marketing power — and possibly signaled a shift in how Hollywood handles political outrage.
As for Sydney Sweeney, she’s moving on — unapologetic and unbothered.
“At the end of the day,” she said, “I just did my job.”
