Megyn Kelly accuses Sydney Sweeney of 'bending the knee' to Hollywood in wake of American Eagle ad criticism
Share and Follow

Megyn Kelly has criticized actress Sydney Sweeney, accusing her of bowing to Hollywood pressures after Sweeney distanced herself from certain interpretations of her American Eagle ad campaign.

The 28-year-old actress recently expressed her surprise to People magazine over some of the reactions to the campaign. Critics on the left had oddly suggested the campaign, which played off the phrase “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” was promoting eugenics.

Sweeney clarified her intentions, saying, “I participated in the campaign because I genuinely love the jeans and the brand.” She further stated, “I do not endorse the views that some have linked to the campaign. Many assumptions about my motives and beliefs are simply not true.”

However, Kelly was not pleased with Sweeney’s response and voiced her disapproval.

That didn’t sit well with Kelly.

“We just had a debate on the show privately about whether that was her backtracking or bending the knee which I maintained it was,” she said on the Wednesday installment of her SiriusXM podcast, adding that “Hollywood, her agents, her PR people the casting directors, the moneymen … got to her because her messaging sounds very different.”

Kelly said Sweeney’s interview with People marked a shift from the confidence the star had projected when the controversy first erupted over her pun-filled American Eagle spot.

“She sounds different,” Kelly said.

The host then read aloud from Sweeney’s statement to People, which she attacked as both politically loaded and strategically limp.

“I don’t know if people know this, but People magazine is woke and f–king annoying … truly, they hate conservatives,” Kelly fumed.

Sweeney’s remarks emphasized unity.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together I’m against hate and divisiveness,” she told People.

“Recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide not closed it,” she added.

Kelly said Sweeney’s statement is “as close as she will get, I guess, to telegraphing ‘I don’t agree with the Republican crazies who backed me and I’m not a white supremacist.’”

The uproar began in July when American Eagle released an ad featuring the blond-haired, blue-eyed bombshell uttering: “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring … My jeans are blue.”

Some critics blasted the line as an echo of eugenics rhetoric, even going so far as to call the ad “Nazi propaganda.”

Conservatives pounced on the backlash, framing it as the latest front in the culture war. President Trump called Sweeney’s spot “fantastic” and praised the actress for being a registered Republican.

Vice President JD Vance mocked Dems for thinking, “everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi.”

American Eagle saw a stock bump during the furor, which conservatives celebrated as evidence that standing firm against “woke” criticism pays off.

The Post has sought comment from Sweeney.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Autopsy reveals Wisconsin grad school student’s cause of death after she disappeared walking home from bar

Tragic Mystery Solved: Autopsy Uncovers Cause of Death for Missing Wisconsin Grad Student

Authorities have determined the cause of death for Wisconsin graduate student Eliotte…
'The Last of Us' star Nico Parker’s favorite fragrance, pants, PJs

Discover ‘The Last of Us’ Star Nico Parker’s Must-Have Fragrances, Fashion Picks, and Cozy Pajamas

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if…
Elon Musk admits his long-held views about God have changed

Elon Musk Reveals Evolving Beliefs on Spirituality and Religion

Elon Musk, who once identified as an atheist, has recently shared insights…
Flagler County paramedic found guilty of sexual battery, state attorney says

Flagler County Paramedic Convicted of Sexual Battery, Announces State Attorney

The State Attorney’s Office revealed that the victim was an unconscious patient…
Will Smith leaves fans sobbing with return to Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Will Smith’s Emotional Return to ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Leaves Fans in Tears

In a heartwarming nod to nostalgia, Will Smith made a surprise return…
Fury as Zillow hides vital safety information from homebuyers

Outrage Erupts as Zillow Conceals Crucial Safety Data from Prospective Homebuyers

Zillow, the prominent real estate search platform, has stirred controversy by eliminating…
Rutgers student vanishes after accepting ride with bully, family says

Urgent Search Underway: Rutgers Student Disappears After Accepting Ride with Alleged Bully, Family Pleads for Help

A Rutgers University student who disappeared over two weeks ago was last…
A flag ripples in the wind as snow falls in Lowville, New York, on Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2025. The area faces a winter storm warning through Thursday. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

Urgent Alert: Washington State Braces for Mass Evacuations Amid Relentless Rainfall

In western Washington, tens of thousands are bracing for potential evacuation as…