Vice President J.D. Vance is not one to hog the headlines. But he’s surgical with his words.
And now J.D. Vance has asked a question that puts Democrats in a tough spot.
J.D. Vance Critiques Democrats Over Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy
Vice President J.D. Vance sharply criticized Democrats on Friday for their reaction to an American Eagle jeans advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Speaking on the “Ruthless Podcast,” Vance expressed amusement at the liberal outrage over the ad’s tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” which some interpreted as promoting eugenics or “Nazi propaganda.”
Vance sarcastically advised Democrats to continue labeling those who find Sweeney attractive as Nazis. “That appears to be their actual strategy,” Vance remarked. “It actually reveals something pretty interesting about the Dems, which is that you have a normal, all-American beautiful girl doing a normal jeans ad. They’re trying to sell jeans to kids in America and they have managed to so unhinge themselves over this thing.”
He questioned whether Democrats had learned any lessons from their November 2024 election losses, expecting them to moderate their approach. Instead, Vance noted, “The lesson apparently taken is ‘we’re gonna attack people as Nazis for thinking that Sydney Sweeney is beautiful.’ Great strategy guys, that’s how you’re gonna win the midterms. Especially young, American men.”
The controversy stems from liberal interpretations of the ad’s wordplay on “jeans” and “genes,” with some claiming it covertly endorses white eugenics, particularly given Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes. In the ad, Sweeney says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring … My ‘jeans’ are blue,” as the camera highlights her appearance.
Vance argued that this reaction demonstrates Democrats’ “hostility to basic American life,” contributing to their declining popularity. Recent polls, including a Wall Street Journal survey, show the Democratic Party’s net favorability at a record low of -30 points.
Historically, attractive celebrities have long been featured in jeans advertisements. For example, in 1980, a 15-year-old Brooke Shields appeared in a Calvin Klein ad with the provocative tagline, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”
Democrats and the Embrace of Woke Ideology
The Democratic Party’s alignment with “woke” ideology—broadly defined as a heightened focus on social justice, identity politics, and progressive cultural norms—has become a significant point of contention in American politics. This ideology, often characterized by its emphasis on addressing systemic inequalities and promoting inclusivity, has been both a rallying cry for some Democrats and a source of criticism for others who view it as divisive or overly dogmatic. The Sydney Sweeney ad controversy exemplifies how this alignment can lead to polarizing reactions that alienate portions of the electorate.
Critics argue that Democrats’ embrace of woke ideology has led to a disconnect with mainstream voters. According to a 2025 analysis by the Pew Research Center, many Americans perceive progressive stances on issues like language policing or cultural sensitivity as out of touch with everyday concerns. This perception has been particularly pronounced among working-class and moderate voters, who have historically been key components of the Democratic coalition.
The term “woke” originally emerged from African American Vernacular English, meaning to be aware of social injustices, particularly around race. However, its adoption by mainstream Democratic rhetoric has expanded its scope to include a wide range of social and cultural issues, often leading to accusations of overreach. A 2024 Gallup poll found that 58% of Americans view the term “woke” negatively, associating it with excessive political correctness or moralizing.
Democrats’ focus on identity-driven issues has sometimes overshadowed economic concerns, which remain a priority for many voters. A 2025 report from the Brookings Institution noted that while Democratic policies on wealth inequality and healthcare resonate with some, their cultural messaging often dominates public perception, creating an image of a party preoccupied with niche social issues. This has been particularly evident in controversies like the Sweeney ad, where critics argue that Democrats misinterpret benign cultural moments as ideological battlegrounds.
The electoral consequences of this alignment were evident in the 2024 elections, where Republicans capitalized on public frustration with progressive overreach. Political analysts, such as those at the Center for American Progress, have suggested that Democrats’ failure to balance their social justice advocacy with conomic appeals contributed to losses in key swing states.
High-profile Democrats have occasionally distanced themselves from the term “woke” to mitigate backlash. In a 2024 CNN interview, President Joe Biden emphasized a focus on “kitchen table issues” over cultural debates, signaling an awareness of the term’s toxicity. However, grassroots activists and progressive lawmakers continue to champion woke principles, creating a tension within the party.
The Sweeney controversy also highlights how woke ideology can lead to self-inflicted wounds. By framing a jeans advertisement as a coded endorsement of eugenics, some liberals amplified a narrative that critics like Vance seize upon to portray Democrats as out of touch. A 2025 study by the Manhattan Institute found that such reactions often fuel conservative narratives about liberal elitism, further eroding Democratic support among young and working-class voters.
