Senator Ted Cruz is under fire once again, this time for his vocal admiration of actress Sydney Sweeney’s latest American Eagle jeans campaign, which has sparked controversy over alleged racial undertones. The ad, which features the 27-year-old Hollywood star lying topless with her hair cascading over her bare chest while modeling a pair of tight-fitting jeans, was shared on social media by the New York Post.
The caption read: “Why Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad is being slammed as ‘Nazi propaganda’ by crazed woke mob.” Cruz, 54, reposted the image on X (formerly Twitter), defending Sweeney against the backlash: “Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I’m sure that will poll well…”
Ted Cruz’s comment quickly drew attention, with critics reviving past controversies. In 2017, the Texas senator was accused of liking an explicit pornographic video on the platform from the account @SexuallPosts. The video depicted a blonde woman discovering a couple on her couch and then engaging in a solo act. His office at the time called it a mistake, saying the post had been reported and removed.
Cruz’s recent post has reignited criticism from both the public and political opponents. Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell took to X to mock the senator, writing: “Thirsty Ted will defend Sydney Sweeney but won’t defend his own wife against Trump’s smears. I’m sure that will poll well at home!”
The backlash centers on the ad’s tagline: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Critics argue that the double entendre, playing on “great genes,” is racially coded and promotes ideals tied to eugenics and white supremacy—especially given Sweeney’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion.
In the ad, Sweeney says: “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” as the camera zooms in on her striking blue eyes. The campaign, while stirring debate online, claims to serve a social cause. American Eagle announced that proceeds will be donated to the Crisis Text Line and used to support domestic violence prevention efforts.
The company’s billionaire CEO, Jay Schottenstein, has long-standing political ties, including support for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Schottenstein family has faced scrutiny in the past, including for sponsoring a Tel Aviv concert that excluded women performers.
Meanwhile, Sweeney, who recently made headlines for selling her bathwater in soap form, is reportedly preparing to launch a lingerie brand backed by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Despite the uproar, Cruz remains unapologetic in his admiration of the actress, and the conversation around the ad shows no signs of fading.