Who is Rachel Bitecofer and what did she say about Sydney Sweeney?

Political scientist and writer Rachel Bitecofer is facing online backlash after making a controversial remark about actress Sydney Sweeney.

The issue started on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, when Bitecofer reposted a tweet by political commentator David Pakman, who questioned whether people on the left were truly upset about Sweeney’s American Eagle ad campaign or if it was just a “manufactured scandal.”

In her repost, Rachel Bitecofer wrote: “No one on the left even knows there’s an issue. Is all rage p*rn on MAGA Twitter. Did make American Eagle a ton of money for no reason though.”

When another X user joked about not knowing who Sydney Sweeney was, Bitecofer replied: “She’s a butterface who looks great in jeans.”

The slang term “butterface” is considered offensive, meaning someone has an attractive body but an unattractive face.

Her comment quickly went viral, sparking criticism from both fans and public figures. Many accused her of body shaming and attacking another woman’s appearance. Conservative commentators like The Hodgetwins also weighed in, calling her remarks hypocritical for someone who promotes body positivity.

Who is Rachel Bitecofer?

Rachel Bitecofer began her political science studies at the University of Oregon as a 24-year-old single mother, graduating magna cum laude in 2009. She earned her PhD in political science and international affairs from the University of Georgia in 2015.

She has worked in academic research, political polling, and strategy, including time at Christopher Newport University and later in Washington D.C. as a political strategist. In 2024, she published the book Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game.

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad controversy

The controversy ties back to American Eagle’s ad campaign featuring Sweeney, which launched last month with the tagline:
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”

One ad showed Sweeney changing the word “Genes” to “Jeans” on a billboard. Another had her buttoning her denim while explaining what genetic traits are, before joking about her blue jeans.

Some critics accused the ads of promoting eugenics, while others dismissed the outrage as politically motivated. The actress has not publicly commented.

At the premiere of her new movie Americana in Hollywood, a heckler shouted at Sweeney to stop participating in what they called a “racist” ad. American Eagle responded by saying the campaign was “always about the jeans” and encouraging people to wear them with confidence.