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In fact, the speaker suggests that corporate America has wisened up, realizing that “fat and ugly don’t sell.” The emphasis on physically appealing models like Sweeney indicates a strategic move to resurrect notions of beauty linked to traditional, “all-American” features—blonde hair, blue eyes, toned physiques—believed to drive sales more effectively.
Political and Cultural Backlash
The ad’s release has ignited a firestorm among liberals and social justice activists. Some have accused American Eagle of covert fascist messaging, with one TikTok commenter even claiming the ad resembles “fascist propaganda” or “Third Reich” imagery. Such comparisons seem exaggerated, but they highlight how cultural symbols and aesthetics can be easily misinterpreted or intentionally politicized.