Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump offered unexpected praise for actress Sydney Sweeney on Sunday after learning she is registered as a Republican, calling her recent American Eagle ad campaign “fantastic.”
“She’s a registered Republican?” Trump said when asked by a reporter for his thoughts on her political affiliation. “Oh, now I love her ad.”
“You’d be surprised at how many people are Republicans. That’s what I wouldn’t have known, but I’m glad you told me that,” Trump added. “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”
The “Euphoria” actress has been registered with the Republican Party of Florida in Monroe County since June 2024, according to the New York Post, which cited public voter records. The news surfaced as Sweeney faced backlash over her new American Eagle campaign titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
The campaign sparked mixed reactions on social media. Critics said the ad’s play on the word “genes” resembled outdated eugenics slogans, while supporters defended it as lighthearted and praised the actress for challenging progressive cultural norms in advertising.
In a promotional video posted to American Eagle’s Instagram account, the 27-year-old actress walks toward a billboard with the phrase “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” She crosses out “Genes” and replaces it with “Jeans” before walking away.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in Friday, mocking the left’s reaction to the ad during an appearance on the “Ruthless” podcast.
“My political advice to the Democrats is continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi,” Vance said. “That appears to be their actual strategy.”
American Eagle has also responded to the controversy over its recent ad featuring Sweeney.
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story,” they wrote on Instagram. “We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
The ad campaign has been positive for American Eagle’s bottom line. The company’s market value has increased by $400 million since the campaign launch last month.