• Sydney Sweeney is confirmed as a registered Republican voter in Florida, adding fuel to the backlash over her American Eagle ad.
• The ad faced criticism for its messaging, perceived to invoke themes of eugenics and glorifying whiteness.
• President Donald Trump praised Sweeney's ad after learning of her political affiliation, stating he thought it was "fantastic."
• American Eagle defended the campaign, asserting it was about celebrating jeans, not political messaging.
• The controversy has highlighted a divide in public perception regarding race, beauty standards, and political affiliations in Hollywood.

Sydney Sweeney's political affiliation has come under scrutiny as she was confirmed to be a registered Republican voter in Florida since June 2024, just months before Donald Trump launched his presidential campaign. This revelation coincided with intense backlash over her recent ad campaign for American Eagle that many critics accused of having racist undertones. The ad featured Sweeney stating, “Genes are passed down... My jeans are blue,” which has drawn comparisons to the eugenics movement, according to reports from India Times and HuffPost.

The backlash intensified after various media outlets reported that many viewed the ad as promoting ideals associated with whiteness, especially considering Sweeney’s aesthetics — blonde hair and blue eyes. Critics are concerned that the phrasing in the ad served as a dog whistle linking to historical white supremacy narratives. Trump, however, expressed his support for Sweeney, saying, “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic,” as he responded to reporters' inquiries during a trip from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., according to The Hill and India Times.

Despite the criticism, American Eagle has stood by the ad, emphasizing that its focus was solely on denim, stating, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans... is and always was about the jeans.” The company highlighted that “great jeans look good on everyone,” defending their message against the backlash and the claims regarding racial implications, as detailed by HuffPost and HuffPost.

The political implications of Sweeney's registration have sparked further discussions regarding the relationship between celebrity culture and political identity. While the actress has maintained a relatively ambiguous political stance publicly, past incidents — such as a birthday party that featured guests donning MAGA apparel — have contributed to the swirling questions about her affiliations. Sweeney previously responded to backlash surrounding the birthday party by urging critics not to jump to conclusions, emphasizing that it was a personal family celebration, as noted by HuffPost and The Hill.