White House conservatives slam ‘cancel culture’ backlash against Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad remains controversial — and now, high-profile conservatives are weighing in, not to condemn the ad, but to push back against the backlash. Steven Cheung, former communications director for President Trump, who previously slammed critics as “snowflakes” suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” took to X to accuse cancel culture of fueling outrage from the Left.

While Senator Ted Cruz defended Sweeney, mocking the “crazy Left” for attacking her, jothers public figures like Gabby Windey and Doja Cat have also chimed in. The ad’s wordplay linking “genes” to “jeans” sparked accusations of racism and ties to eugenics, a widely discredited theory about genetic superiority. Still, despite the controversy, American Eagle’s stock reportedly rose — suggesting the campaign generated not just backlash, but major attention — with the conversation continuing all the way to the White House.