In case you missed the news the last few days, a fashion campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney has ignited a fierce cultural debate, drawing criticism from left-wing activists and counter-blasts from prominent conservatives, including top figures connected to the Trump administration. What started as a denim ad has morphed into a national flashpoint over race, identity, cancel culture, and political symbolism.

The controversy began when American Eagle released a new advertisement showcasing Sweeney in a style many viewers noted bore a strong resemblance to Brooke Shields’ iconic 1980 Calvin Klein ad. However, while some online users merely commented on the homage, others accused the brand of promoting whiteness and even veering into dangerous ideological territory.

TikTok creators and progressive commentators zeroed in on the ad’s tagline — a play on “great genes” and “great jeans” — interpreting it as a coded nod to eugenics. The backlash quickly intensified. The New York Post compiled several TikToks accusing the campaign of being “fascist-weird” and likened it to “Nazi propaganda.” One of the most pointed critiques came from activist Zellie Imani, who labeled the campaign a “love letter to White nationalism and eugenic fantasies,” adding that “Sydney Sweeney knew it.”

These claims drew a swift and sharp response from the political right.

Steven Cheung, President Donald Trump’s communications director, reposted an MSNBC headline referencing the controversy with a fiery caption: “Cancel culture run amok. This warped, moronic, and dense liberal thinking is a big reason why Americans voted the way they did in 2024. They’re tired of this bulls—.”

Cheung’s sentiments were echoed by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who took to X, mocking the criticism: “Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women — I’m sure that will poll well.”

Donald Trump Jr. also chimed in, parodying the ad by posting an AI-generated image of his father in place of Sweeney. He referenced Zoolander with the caption, “Hanse – Um, Donald is so hot right now.”

American Eagle, for its part, defended the ad and its star. Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative director of American Eagle & Aerie, emphasized the campaign’s intentions. “This fall season, American Eagle is celebrating what makes our brand iconic – trendsetting denim that leads, never follows,” she said in a statement. “With Sydney Sweeney front and center, she brings the allure, and we add the flawless wardrobe for the winning combo of ease, attitude and a little mischief.”

The company also announced a philanthropic element to the campaign, pledging to donate proceeds from jean sales to the Crisis Text Line, which supports domestic violence survivors — a move seemingly overlooked amid the political firestorm.

Adding a layer of political intrigue, the Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the longstanding connection between the Schottenstein family — American Eagle’s executive leadership — and the Trump family. CEO Jay Schottenstein is a member of Mar-a-Lago, and his son held his wedding at the former president’s Palm Beach estate.

The ad has been a hot topic since it was released days ago, sparking memes and mockery of epic proportion.

On Tuesday, The Daily BS founder, Bo Snerdley asked his radio guest and former colleague, Diana Alloco, her thoughts about the ad’s uproar and they couldn’t help but have a laugh remembering their former boss.

“Incredible. It’s just unbelievable,” Alloco said, live on the Rush Hour with Bo Snerdley. “ And I have… you know, I shouldn’t say this, but it reminds me … I shouldn’t say this. It reminds me of one of our boss, Rush Limbaugh’s undeniable truths of life. Do you know the one I’m going to cite?”

“Thirty four” Bo guessed, nailing it the first time, and they both recited together the Limbaugh truthism, “feminism was established to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society.”

 “And I can’t help to have noticed,” she continued jokingly, “that the people who are most angry about this ad of this beautiful young woman tend to be in the category of unattractive. I shouldn’t say that out loud, but I have noticed that.” 

“I’m going to just say something here,” Bo continued, “I don’t like the ad. I think the ad was unnecessary, but I don’t care because I don’t care about American Eagle jeans. I’m never going to fit my fat ass in American Eagle jeans!”

Critics of the backlash see this cultural scuffle as part of a broader shift. With recent moves like CBS canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, many conservatives sense a turning tide after years of progressive cultural dominance. To them, the Sydney Sweeney controversy is yet another example of the left “overreaching” and alienating mainstream Americans.

In the wake of the uproar, American Eagle has not pulled the ad, and Sweeney has remained silent — letting the cultural tug-of-war play out while the jeans, and the controversy, remain firmly in the spotlight.