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President Donald Trump unexpectedly entered the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign, pivoting public attention from fashion to partisan loyalty. His remarks followed revelations that the 27-year-old actress registered as a Republican in Florida last year.
"She's a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad," Trump said during an impromptu exchange with reporters in Pennsylvania. The comment came shortly after BuzzFeed News revealed Sweeney's GOP affiliation, citing Florida's voter registry, where her enrollment was dated June 14, 2024, Trump's 78th birthday.
Sweeney's campaign, launched July 23, ignited online outrage over perceived undertones of eugenics and hyper-sexualized imagery. The ad's play on "jeans" and "genes," with lines like "My jeans are blue," was widely criticized. Commentators accused American Eagle of leaning into language suggestive of genetic superiority. Others drew comparisons to Brooke Shields' controversial Calvin Klein ad from the 1980s.
Criticism came fast, but so did endorsements. Trump doubled down Monday morning with a Truth Social post: "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there... the jeans are 'flying off the shelves.' Go get 'em Sydney!" The post was part of a broader screed targeting "woke" marketing, name-checking Jaguar and Bud Light as examples of campaigns he believes alienated conservative consumers.
American Eagle, meanwhile, has not retracted the campaign. A spokesperson confirmed the brand stands by the ad's messaging and dismissed calls to cancel Sweeney, citing strong sales metrics. Company shares rose nearly 20% following Trump's public support, a sign of how political endorsement can now move markets.
While Sweeney hasn't spoken publicly about her political leanings, the discovery of her GOP status marks a rare moment when a celebrity's voter registration, not a speech or donation, triggers such intense public reaction. "You'd be surprised how many people are Republicans," Trump said. "That's one I wouldn't have known."
