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Russell Brand poured his putrid feelings out in another such attack, this time on American Eagle for so-called “fascist kind of propaganda” in their ad campaign starring Sydney Sweeney as the model. This controversial comedian-turned-commentator almost went 10 minutes into a discourse on advertising ethics, consumer culture, and notions of why no pair of jeans can ever bring you true happiness.
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The video opens with Brand sarcastically complimenting what an “extraordinary breakthrough” it is that pretty girls sell a product. He mocked the sudden reversal in the industry from desiring campaigns built upon “woke” inclusivity back to the tired old standards of beauty: whatever value the corporations claim to uphold, they never hesitate to abandon it on their way to making a buck.
Brand got into tirade mode while going after the American Eagle ad with Sydney Wint-o-pie rubbing her hands on her backside and then said, “Should we be surprised that a company whose name is literally American Eagle is making fascist propaganda like this?” With his usual flair for the dramatic, he added: “Probably not. But it’s still really shocking. Like a blonde-haired, blue-eyed white woman talking about her good jeans – that is Nazi propaganda.”
The picture would show Sweeney in tight jeans posing suggestively while praising the brand for their fit. Brand said that it was clearly sexual and then asked why anybody should really care about how a clothing company markets itself: “Truth be told: no pair of jeans is going to make you feel happy. Nothing is going to make you happy other than a kind of connection to meaning, to values that are precisely outside of this culture.”
The video goes back and forth between brands of farcical outrage and gloomy analytic reflection on consumerism. It’s a bit of an ironic state of affairs to get upset about whether an ad works a plus-size gal or supermodel type, because the ad will always be about helping separate you from your money. “They don’t care about you,” he said of corporations. “They don’t care if you live or die. They want your money. They don’t even care if Sydney Sweeney lives or dies.”
The commentary sparked heated debate. One user doubted the authenticity of the whole commentary: “Finally someone said it! These ads are literally conditioning us to associate American pride with white beauty standards.” The counterargument came from another user: “Oh please, it’s just jeans. People need to stop looking for politics in everything.”
The Sydney Sweeney situation is getting ridiculous.
The outrage over the American Eagle ad isn’t about Sydney; it’s about US.
Brands don’t have values, only profit motives. One year it’s “woke,” the next it’s sex appeal.
If you’re looking for meaning in marketing, congrats;… pic.twitter.com/E4iTzWNr8p
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) July 31, 2025
Brand’s most cutting attack targeted anyone who takes cultural scenarios, such as sports teams keeping score. “The culture’s not a sport where ‘my team is winning,’” he states. “That is stupid. That is a silly way to regard it.” He even admits that he does so himself occasionally.
Brand is unlike any other as he melds irreverent comedy and spiritual wisdom; “The only products guaranteed to make you happy would be crack and heroin (at least for a temporary basis).” Then he moves on to express that true happiness lies in higher values, and not in products: “We should worship the God that created all of it,” with him then immediately with, “Is that a Zero Hedge reference?”.
The full video really showcases Brand’s brilliance in the conception of cultural criticism, philosophy, and biting humor. Regardless of what one thinks about Brand’s stance, there is no question that he stirred a lot up and that was likely the point.
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In a reflection on society, Brand also questions UK’s pandemic preparedness while discussing these cultural critiques. Furthermore, he has recently sparked debate with a bold claim regarding RFK Jr. and Andrew Tate.