Overview

• White House Communications Director Steven Cheung blamed liberal backlash over the genes/jeans pun for “cancel culture run amok,” linking it to President Trump’s 2024 victory.
• Conservative commentators such as Megyn Kelly dismissed eugenics accusations as overreactions to a straightforward fashion ad.
• PR strategists say the controversy has propelled Sweeney into meme status and driven American Eagle’s stock up by about 4 percent.
• Critics maintain the pun on “genes” alongside Sweeney’s blonde, blue-eyed imagery echoes discredited eugenics and white supremacist tropes.
• Neither American Eagle Outfitters nor Sydney Sweeney has issued a public response, allowing political allies and media pundits to steer the narrative.