Overview
- Sweeney told GQ she chose not to issue a statement at the height of the controversy, saying she is “not here to tell people what to think” and that the reaction “didn’t affect” her.
- She called it “surreal” that President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly weighed in, adding that she largely stayed offline while filming Euphoria.
- The actress said she tracked business results in real time and disputed reports of declining store traffic, noting American Eagle was in a quiet period as its sales and share price improved.
- American Eagle defended the ad on social media, asserting the campaign was about Sweeney’s jeans and story rather than any genetic message.
- Reports noted sellouts of signature items tied to the campaign and cited a charitable element, with proceeds from select products benefiting Crisis Text Line.