Why is Trump talking about Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney?

US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for actress Sydney Sweeney following a wave of criticism directed at a recent American Eagle advertisement featuring the Emmy-nominated star.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump wrote, "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. Go get 'em Sydney!"

Sweeney, known for her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, stars in a jeans commercial where she says, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue."

The ad, launched on July 23, quickly sparked debate on social media. Critics took issue with the wordplay on "genes" and "jeans," interpreting it as echoing themes associated with eugenics, a discredited ideology centered on selective breeding to "improve" humanity. The controversy touched on sensitive discussions about race and beauty standards.

However, many defended Sweeney and dismissed the backlash as exaggerated. American Eagle stood by the campaign, clarifying that it solely highlights the brand’s denim products. "Her jeans. Her story," the company stated, adding, "We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way."

Reports revealed that Sweeney has been a registered Republican in Florida since 2024, although she has remained largely silent on political matters. The actress previously addressed speculation surrounding her political stance after videos from her mother’s birthday party circulated online showing guests wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. Sweeney urged the public to "stop making assumptions" and not to politicize what she described as an "innocent celebration."

Trump acknowledged Sweeney’s political affiliation in an interview on Sunday, saying, "You'd be surprised at how many people are Republicans. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic."