Overview

• Rife wrote on X that people attacking Sweeney are “absolute garbage losers,” arguing the backlash twists her words and intentions.
• The American Eagle campaign plays on the genes/jeans pun with lines like “My genes are blue” and “Hey, eyes up here,” prompting accusations from some critics of eugenics messaging.
• American Eagle said the campaign “is and always was about the jeans,” emphasizing Sweeney’s story and insisting it carries no political message.
• Public figures have weighed in from both directions, with Dr. Phil defending Sweeney and President Donald Trump praising the ad after learning of her reported party affiliation, while Lizzo and Doja Cat mocked the spots.
• Sweeney has not directly addressed the ad controversy, and Rife referenced her separate bathwater soap promotion that drew criticism earlier this summer.