Explained: Why Sydney Sweeni’s new American eagle advertisement is being called ‘fascist’ and ‘Nazi’ and ‘white domination’ is being labeled

Godwin’s rule states that any internet discussion will always move towards someone comparing Nazi or Hitler. And now that 4chan/reddit disease has run into the real world.A denim advertisement to celebrate American style has ignited a firstorm online instead, critics accused American eagle and actress Sydney Sweeny that plays on the phrase “great gene” through “Nazi fascist” promotion – a punishment is somewhat saying something dangerous and whitemasist.

TL; Dr.

What is in the advertisement?

In part of the American Eagle’s new denim campaign, 27 -year -old Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeny has been included in a specific manner, slipping her car in the American setting, slipping on the driver’s seat, playing a pair of all jeans.It is written in the tagline: “Sydney Sweeny has great jeans.” A follow -up video posted on the American Eagle’s Instagram features Sweeni near a billboard with the phrase “Great Jean”. She attacks the word “gene” with red and replaces it with “jeans”.A cheek Wordplay, isn’t it? Not according to the increasing number of critics online.

Why are people calling it ‘Nazi propagation’?

Criticism stems from historical goods tied to the phrase “Great Jean”.According to a widely broadcast salon article, the expression has long been associated with white supremacular ideals – which have been used to promote white, thinness and eurosentiric beauty standards.Critics argue that the problem is that when the phrase is paired with Sweeni-a blue-eyed woman often laces the avatar of “Classic American Beauty”-it resembles Ujic messaging.A viral tickek user said, “A white -haired white woman is talking about her good gene – this is Nazi propagation.” Sweeny has also read the scene of crossing the “gene” and writing “jeans” as symbolic – together with strengthening them together and an attempt to def mestication of genetic superiority or make fun of them.

What are people saying online?

Social media backlash has been fierce and fast:On X (East Twitter):“Sydney Sweeny Eagle Jeans Advertisement is Nazi promotion, and if you don’t agree then you are a fascist.”“They could get a beautiful black woman to do this advertisement, but they chose a yt [white] Instead, the woman… ”“The American Eagle needs to remove those Sydney Sweeni advertisements. They are really scary. ,On tiktok:Many creators have posted interpreters breaking the underlying “dog whistle” in the advertisement, stating how Nazi was used in Germany and recently, in far-flung political circles to celebrate white dominance.

But is it really deep?

This is now a cultural debate.On one hand, the campaign is clearly playing on a punishment- “genes” and “jeans.” On the other hand, when those words are traditionally combined with the image of white American beauty and a brand that is literally called American eagle, the symbolism feels more full than the chic.Whether the messaging was deliberately, critics argue that the intent does not deny the effect-especially when mass-Market fashion advertisements operate in an ecosystem that have been breed, square and beauty privilege shaped for decades.Has American Eagle or Sydney Sweeny replied?No.By July 28, 2025, neither the actress nor the brand has issued a public statement addressing the controversy.The Instagram post of the American Eagle remains live, although the comments appear to be limited or heavy moderate.

Has the campaign affected the brand?

The irony is that while Bailsh created a ruckus online, the campaign promoted business. According to reports, the American Eagle saw 4% spike in shares after dropping the advertisement. But social goodwill may have taken a hit. The core demographics for General Z and Millennial Consumer-American eagle have shown a priority for rapidly socially conscious branding, and this phenomenon can cause long-term prestigious risks.

Why is Sydney Sweeny often controversial?

This is not the first time the actress has found herself in political hot water. Sweeni first criticized in 2022, when the photos came out from her mother’s 60th birthday party, where guests were seen in a red cap that looked like a Maga cap. Hats actually read “Make Sixty Great Again”, a punishment on his mother’s milestone birthday, but many people on the Internet interpreted it as a trump statement. The actress denied any political affiliation at that time, saying that the festival was not intended to be political, but the incident left the Internet keeping a close watch on her public image. In this case, it is less about what Sweeni has said and more about what her image represents in the broader cultural scenario.

questions to ask

Question: What’s wrong with the phrase “Great Jean”?A: It is a historical relationship for eugenics and white domination, especially when blonde, blue -eyed, is used to describe eurosentric beauty, which is naturally better.Question: Was this advertisement deliberately fascist?A: This is a matter of debate. There is no evidence of intentions – but critics argue that visual and oral signal, even if inadvertently, mirror fascist aesthetics and ideas.Question: Why is the advertisement not drawn?A: American Eagle has to answer yet. The company’s weight may be whether the dispute helps in the visibility of the brand in a long time or damages it.Question: Is Sydney Sweeny responsible?A: It depends on how much creative input he had. While he acted in the advertisement, the brand and agency are eventually responsible for messages and design.

Ground level:

In the era of internet hyper-literacy, advertisements do not live in a vacuum. Whether by accident or design, this campaign has shaken a hornet’s nest about races, beauty and nationalism – and no one included in it is ready to set fire.