Sydney Sweeney Calls Trump’s Comment on American Eagle Controversy “Surreal”
Sydney Sweeney found herself at the center of an unexpected controversy following her appearance in an American Eagle jeans campaign. The campaign featured the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” This phrase unintentionally raised concerns among some observers, who interpreted it as carrying undertones of eugenics and white supremacy.
Sydney Sweeney Responds to Backlash
In a recent interview with GQ, Sweeney addressed the backlash. She expressed that she didn’t feel the need to issue a public statement. “I mean, I’ll vent to my girlfriends. But other than that, no,” she said. Sweeney emphasized that she is confident in her identity and values.
She noted, “I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person,” highlighting her commitment to authenticity. Sweeney also remarked on the surprising reaction to the ad, stating, “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans.” She added that jeans are a staple of her everyday wardrobe.
Trump Weighs In
Amid the controversy, former President Donald Trump came to Sweeney’s defense. She described the moment as “surreal,” acknowledging that it was unexpected for him to comment on the ad.
Impact on American Eagle
Following the controversy, there were reports regarding a decline in American Eagle’s stock price and in-store sales. However, Sweeney stated that these reports did not affect her personally. “I was aware of the numbers as it was going. So when I saw all the headlines of in-store visits were down a certain percentage, none of it was true,” she clarified.
Sweeney suggested that the narrative around American Eagle’s performance was exaggerated, emphasizing that the brand was in a “quiet period,” which limited their ability to address the claims. “It was all just a lot of talk. And because I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other,” she asserted.
American Eagle’s Official Statement
In response to the backlash, American Eagle released a statement reaffirming the campaign’s intent. They emphasized, “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. 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.”
The controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney and the American Eagle campaign highlights the complexities of marketing and public perception in today’s media landscape. Despite the challenges, Sweeney remains focused on her career and the positive messages she wants to convey.
