US actor Sydney Sweeney registered as a Republican voter in Florida two weeks before Donald Trump’s presidential win, according to publicly available records. The Euphoria and White Lotus star listed her party affiliation as Republican on June 14, 2024, shortly after buying a mansion in the Keys. This was about two years after she faced criticism for wearing hats resembling Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan at her mother’s birthday party.
Sweeney has not addressed her voter registration, which went viral on social media and sparked debate over American Eagle’s recent jeans ad campaign featuring her punny “great genes” slogan. Critics argue the campaign echoes rhetoric associated with eugenics and white supremacy, while others see it as a harmless advertisement.
The backlash against Sweeney and American Eagle has been largely exaggerated, with some accusing critics of “cancel culture run amok”. The company’s stock has risen in response to the campaign, which they claim was always about promoting their jeans. This contrasted with a 2023 Bud Light ad featuring trans activist Dylan Mulvaney, which sparked a conservative-organized boycott and led to the brand losing its top-selling position.
Despite the controversy, many have judged the backlash against Sweeney as overblown, saying she should be judged on her own work rather than her politics.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/03/sydney-sweeney-jeans-ad-republican-voter-registration