American Eagle Sydney Sweeney Ad Draws Nazi Propaganda Accusations Amid Controversy

American Eagle's recent ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney sparked intense controversy due to its wordplay on "genes" and "jeans" alongside visuals emphasizing Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes. Critics on social media, including Doja Cat, accused the campaign of promoting white supremacy and Nazi propaganda, linking the phrase "good genes" to eugenics ideology, a point underscored by advertising expert Robin Landa who highlighted the historical weight of such language. While some social media users and activists called for a boycott, others defended the campaign as playful and non-political, leading to a polarized public reaction. Despite the backlash, American Eagle's stock valuation reportedly increased significantly following the campaign's release. The debate illustrates ongoing cultural tensions around race, identity, and marketing in contemporary America. Meanwhile, the campaign has drawn comparisons to past advertising controversies, though no prior similar backlash to the gene/jeans pun had been noted.