why is the sydney sweeney ad controversial

The Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad is controversial because it plays on a pun involving the words "genes" and "jeans," with Sweeney discussing inherited "genes" and then saying "My jeans are blue." Critics interpret this as a subtle nod to eugenics, a discredited ideology linked to white supremacy and scientific racism, which promotes the idea of genetic superiority based on race. The ad features Sweeney, a blonde, blue-eyed white woman, which has further fueled accusations of promoting racial undertones and supremacist dog whistles. Some viewers see this as a conservative signal amidst current cultural tensions, while others criticize the ad's approach as tone-deaf and politically charged. The controversy escalated with involvement from political figures like Donald Trump, who praised the ad as "anti-woke," adding a political dimension to the debate. The campaign also faced criticism for its hypersexualized portrayal of Sweeney despite being tied to domestic violence awareness fundraising, which some found contradictory and insensitive. In summary, the ad's use of genetic language, racial imagery, and political context has made it a flashpoint for debates on race, beauty standards, politics, and social values, leading to a wide range of strong reactions online and in the media.