On Wednesday’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk discussed the ongoing backlash surrounding the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle controversy, criticizing liberal media for distorting the origins and nature of the public response. They argued that the backlash did not primarily come from conservative audiences, challenging narratives that link the outcry to MAGA supporters.
Kirk highlighted that much of the initial criticism actually originated from the political left, countering recent reports from sources like Pod Save America which suggested right-wing media was overly magnifying the issue. He accused liberal media of attempting to erase or downplay their role in fueling the controversy.
Claims of Media Gaslighting and The Use of Extreme Comparisons
Kirk expressed frustration with the tone of liberal commentary, especially references comparing the campaign to dark historical events. He said,
To compare a Sydney Sweeney ad for 20 minutes to Goebbels and Hitler and eugenics — I mean, that’s really dark stuff,
—Charlie Kirk
He added that some commentators denied making such comparisons, despite proof otherwise, alleging a deliberate attempt to mislead viewers. Kirk pointed out how ABC News’ Good Morning America dedicated valuable airtime to an expert discussing the campaign’s ties to themes of eugenics and white supremacy, yet accused conservatives of exaggerating the controversy instead.
Expert Opinions Highlight Historical Context of Eugenics
During the episode, Kelly aired a clip featuring Robin Landa, a professor at Kean University, explaining why the advertisement sparked unease. Landa stressed that the idea of “good genes” invoked by the campaign is linked to a history of eugenics, which was used to justify white supremacist ideologies:
weaponized the idea of good genes to justify white supremacism.
—Robin Landa, Kean University Professor
The segment triggered Kelly’s disbelief, who described the framing as “unbelievable.” She went on to mention a Rolling Stone article that criticized Fox News for giving too much attention to the controversy. Notably, Rolling Stone observed that no major Democratic politicians have publicly addressed the issue.
Political Response—or Lack Thereof—to the Controversy
Kelly remarked on the absence of statements from leading Democrats, saying,
That’s the new test, you see,
Not withstanding all that whole laundry list I went though, the test is whether we’ve seen Joe Biden say something about it.
—Megyn Kelly
Kirk added further skepticism about measuring the story’s importance solely by whether it draws attention from politicians, stating,
Or whether Chuck Schumer gave a Senate floor speech about the Sydney Sweeney ad,
That’s the threshold of whether or not this is a big deal or not? Sorry, we actually understand culture guys.
—Charlie Kirk
Allegations of Racial Targeting and Media Bias
Kirk accused the liberal media, especially ABC News, of singling out the white population through their coverage. He argued that the repeated references to Sweeney’s white genetic traits in relation to the campaign unfairly stigmatized an entire racial group. He emphasized that if a Hispanic person promoted “good genes,” the reaction might be different, calling out this selective targeting as a form of race-based shaming.
If it was a Hispanic person that says, ‘I have good jeans’ — OK, fine. But now, because of that, you’re trying to shame an entire part of the American population … If you want to talk about who’s actually pushing forward pseudo-like race politics, it’s them. We don’t look at that ad and think of race at all.
—Charlie Kirk
Kelly speculated that the campaign was likely focusing on Sydney Sweeney’s physical attributes as “good genes,” to which Kirk agreed. He commented,
She’s got good genes because she doesn’t have to go to plastic surgery where other women would have to.
—Charlie Kirk
Kelly added:
Yeah, she’s got a rockin’ body,
—Megyn Kelly
Background on the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Campaign
The backlash centers not on the jeans themselves, but on the script Sydney Sweeney delivered in the campaign titled “The Sydney Jean.” American Eagle described this effort as a return to “essential denim dressing,” showcasing Sweeney dressed in denim jacket and pants from her clothing line.
In the ad, Sweeney states:
genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.
The controversy arose from concerns that celebrating “good genes” while highlighting a person with blond hair and blue eyes echoes eugenic ideas. Eugenics involves attempts to improve the human race by selective breeding, a practice historically associated with discrimination against marginalized groups including people of color, those with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged communities.
American Eagle’s Defense of the Campaign
On the Friday following the uproar, American Eagle released a statement denying any racial implications in their marketing message. They clarified the campaign’s focus was purely on the jeans and personal style, emphasizing inclusivity and confidence.
‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story,
We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.
—American Eagle Statement
Implications of the Debate and Media Framing
The episode with Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk illustrates the deep polarization surrounding the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle controversy, reflecting broader cultural struggles regarding race, identity, and media bias. Their critique of liberal media’s narrative and accusations of “gaslighting” signal ongoing battles over how cultural issues are framed and discussed publicly.
As the debate continues to unfold, the conversation around this ad campaign exemplifies the challenges brands face navigating sensitive cultural topics amid polarized public reactions. How media outlets present such stories and political figures engage with them could influence both public opinion and future marketing strategies.
