Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

White House Defends Sydney Sweeney Ad Against Cancel Culture

7/31/2025

50 10

Center

White House Defends Sweeney

The White House slammed the backlash against Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad as "moronic," with communications manager Steven Cheung asserting that voters are fed up with "cancel culture." Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly joined the fray, claiming the outrage misreads the ad's message, which celebrates Sweeney's body rather than addressing race.

Right

Sweeney Sparks Controversy

American Eagle's ad with Sydney Sweeney ignited a firestorm of criticism for allegedly promoting racist themes. In a lighthearted twist, Tesla chimed in on the controversy, while supporters rallied behind the ad's positive intentions. Despite its proceeds benefiting mental health initiatives, the campaign's ties to eugenics raised serious questions about representation and beauty standards in advertising.

History

Historical Context

The "Cancel Culture" phenomenon gained traction in the United States around 2017, coinciding with a reported 20% rise in free speech cases by the ACLU. This cultural shift reflects ongoing debates about representation and social sensitivities in media, as seen in the backlash against Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad, which critics argue misrepresents race and beauty standards.

1 of 3

White House Defends Sweeney

The White House slammed the backlash against Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad as "moronic," with communications manager Steven Cheung asserting that voters are fed up with "cancel culture." Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly joined the fray, claiming the outrage misreads the ad's message, which celebrates Sweeney's body rather than addressing race.

1 / 3