A new survey has exposed a huge gap between online outrage and real-world opinion. The Economist/YouGov poll, conducted August 9–11 among 1,635 U.S. adults, found that most Americans either liked or didn’t care about American Eagle’s viral Sydney Sweeney campaign — despite loud accusations from left-wing activists.

The ad, featuring the “Euphoria” actress with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” sparked an internet firestorm from progressive critics who bizarrely claimed it was “fascist” or “Nazi propaganda.” But when actual voters were asked, 39% said the ad was “clever,” 40% said “neither,” and only 12% found it “offensive.” Eight percent were unsure.

Men were more likely than women to call the ad clever, while women were slightly more likely to say they found it offensive. Political affiliation played a role as well — 57% of Republican respondents liked the ad, compared to just 22% of Democrats. Age also shaped responses: among Americans 65 and older, 34% thought it was clever and 13% found it offensive. Interestingly, the ad scored even better among 18–29-year-olds, with 45% saying it was clever and 12% saying offensive.

American Eagle fired back at critics with a firm statement clarifying the obvious: the ad was about jeans, not politics. “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans,” the company posted on Instagram. “Her jeans. Her story.” The statement added that the brand will “continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way” and closed with the reminder: “Great jeans look good on everyone.”

The poll results underscore a growing trend — while online activists may generate headlines by labeling ads, movies, or public figures as problematic, the vast majority of Americans either aren’t offended or actively enjoy the content. This divide is becoming more pronounced as corporate marketing departments weigh whether to cater to internet mobs or the actual consumer base.

For American Eagle, the numbers suggest their bold, tongue-in-cheek approach is resonating far more than it’s alienating. And for Sydney Sweeney, the data is clear: most Americans aren’t pearl-clutching — they’re either laughing along or simply admiring the jeans.

This latest flare-up shows that the so-called “woke outrage” cycle often collapses when put to the test outside of Twitter feeds and activist blogs. For brands willing to stand by their campaigns, the message is simple — the loudest voices online don’t always speak for America.