In a move that has set social media ablaze, Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla, has appeared alongside actress Sydney Sweeney in a provocative new advertising campaign for the electric vehicle giant. Unveiled in August 2025, the ad, which promotes Tesla’s latest Model Y refresh, has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with fans and critics alike divided over its bold imagery and Musk’s unapologetic response to the backlash. The unexpected pairing of the tech billionaire and the Hollywood star, combined with a cheeky narrative that plays on recent controversies, has thrust Tesla into the spotlight once again, proving Musk’s knack for turning provocation into publicity.
The advertisement, titled “Drive the Future,” opens with a sleek Tesla Model Y cruising through a futuristic cityscape, its white vegan leather seats gleaming under neon lights. Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, takes the wheel, exuding confidence in a denim-inspired outfit that nods to her recent American Eagle campaign. Then, in a surprising twist, Musk appears in the passenger seat, casually testing the car’s durability by rubbing a pair of blue jeans against the upholstery. The tagline flashes: “Tesla’s Seats: Built for Great Jeans and Great Genes.” The ad ends with Musk winking at the camera, saying, “Seatney approves,” a playful jab at the viral “Seatney” meme from Tesla’s earlier social media post.
The campaign is a direct response to the controversy surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle ad, which faced accusations of promoting eugenics through its “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” slogan—a pun on “genes” that critics deemed racially insensitive due to its focus on Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes. Tesla’s ad doubles down on the wordplay, with Musk leaning into the debate rather than shying away. On X, he posted: “We’re here to make waves, not apologies. Great cars, great seats, great vibes.” The post, accompanied by a clip of the ad, garnered millions of views within hours, with reactions ranging from applause for Musk’s audacity to outrage over what some called a tone-deaf escalation.
The inclusion of Sweeney was strategic. Her American Eagle campaign, launched in July 2025, became a cultural flashpoint, with detractors arguing its imagery echoed outdated beauty standards, while supporters, including conservative commentators, praised it as a pushback against “woke” marketing. Musk, who has long positioned himself as a critic of progressive orthodoxy, saw an opportunity to align Tesla with this narrative. By featuring Sweeney, Tesla taps into her star power and the ongoing cultural debate, positioning its brand as bold and unapologetic. The ad’s production values are top-notch, with drone shots of the Model Y and a pulsing electronic soundtrack that screams innovation—hallmarks of Tesla’s marketing flair.
Fans of Musk and Tesla have rallied behind the campaign, praising its humor and creativity. On X, users shared memes of Musk and Sweeney as a dynamic duo, with one post joking, “Elon and Sydney just broke the internet and the culture war.” Some lauded Tesla for turning a controversy into a marketing win, with the Model Y’s refreshed features—like enhanced battery range and upgraded self-driving tech—gaining attention alongside the drama. The ad highlights the car’s stain-resistant seats, a practical selling point for families, wrapped in a glossy package that appeals to younger buyers. Tesla’s stock saw a slight uptick after the ad’s release, suggesting investors see value in Musk’s provocative strategy.
But the backlash has been fierce. Critics on social media accused Tesla of trivializing serious allegations of racial insensitivity, with one user writing, “Musk is mocking a real issue for clicks. Disgusting.” Others pointed to the ad’s timing, coming just weeks after Sweeney’s American Eagle controversy, as evidence of deliberate provocation. Some fans of Sweeney expressed disappointment, feeling her involvement risks tarnishing her image further. A viral TikTok video called the ad “a middle finger to inclusivity,” arguing that Tesla’s focus on Sweeney’s appearance perpetuates narrow beauty ideals. The hashtag #BoycottTesla trended briefly, though it was quickly overtaken by pro-Musk counter-hashtags like #TeslaRules.
Musk’s response has only fueled the fire. In a follow-up post on X, he wrote: “If you’re mad about a car ad, maybe it’s time to log off and touch grass. We’re building the future here.” The quip, classic Musk, drew cheers from his 200-million-strong X following but alienated others who saw it as dismissive. Some commentators linked the ad to Musk’s broader political shift, noting his recent distancing from progressive causes and his flirtation with conservative talking points. The ad’s wink to “great genes” has particularly irked critics, who see it as a nod to the eugenics accusations leveled at Sweeney’s earlier campaign, even if tongue-in-cheek.
Behind the controversy, the ad serves a practical purpose. Tesla’s Model Y faces increasing competition from rivals like Rivian and BYD, and the refresh aims to maintain its edge as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle. The ad showcases new features: a 400-mile range, improved interior materials, and a next-gen Full Self-Driving suite that Musk claims is “light-years ahead.” By pairing these with Sweeney’s star power and Musk’s polarizing presence, Tesla ensures maximum visibility. The company’s data-driven approach likely informed the decision: posts about Sweeney’s American Eagle ad drove massive engagement, and Tesla’s analytics team would have seen the potential to capitalize on that buzz.
The ad also reflects Musk’s evolving public persona. Once hailed as a progressive visionary for championing sustainability, he’s increasingly embraced a contrarian stance, using X to challenge cultural norms and spar with critics. His appearance in the ad—unscripted and slightly awkward—humanizes him, contrasting with his usual image as a detached genius. Sweeney, meanwhile, brings her own appeal, with her 20 million Instagram followers and a Gen Z fanbase that aligns with Tesla’s target demographic. Their chemistry, though staged, adds a layer of intrigue, with tabloids speculating about behind-the-scenes dynamics.
The campaign’s charitable angle has been overshadowed by the controversy. Tesla announced that a portion of Model Y sales tied to the ad will support Crisis Text Line, the same nonprofit backed by Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign. This nod to mental health awareness, along with the ad’s butterfly motif symbolizing domestic violence awareness, aims to soften its edge, but critics argue it’s a token gesture. The focus remains on the provocative imagery and Musk’s defiant tone.
As the debate rages, Tesla’s ad has undeniably succeeded in one key metric: attention. Viewership metrics from X show the ad clip surpassing 50 million views in its first 48 hours, outpacing most automotive campaigns. Dealerships report increased inquiries about the Model Y, particularly among younger buyers drawn to Sweeney’s star power. Yet the long-term impact is unclear. Will the controversy alienate Tesla’s progressive base, already wary of Musk’s political shifts? Or will it solidify his brand as a fearless disruptor, appealing to those tired of sanitized corporate ads?
Musk’s history suggests he thrives on such polarization. His 2023 clash with advertisers over X’s content moderation policies—where he famously told them to “go f*ck themselves”—didn’t tank the platform but instead rallied his loyalists. Similarly, this ad could turn outrage into brand loyalty, positioning Tesla as a company unafraid to challenge norms. Sweeney, for her part, has remained silent, letting her performance speak for itself. Her team reportedly vetted the ad carefully, ensuring it aligned with her image as a versatile, bold star.
As Tesla drives forward, the ad marks a new chapter in Musk’s playbook: blending innovation with provocation. Whether it’s rockets, robots, or now car ads, he knows how to keep the world talking. For better or worse, this shocking twist with Sydney Sweeney has cemented Tesla’s place in the cultural zeitgeist, proving that in Musk’s world, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
