A seemingly innocuous men's sweater from retailer J. Crew has become the latest flashpoint in America's culture wars, provoking a furious backlash from supporters of the MAGA movement.
The Spark That Lit the Fire
The controversy erupted on 17 November 2025, when Juanita Broaddrick, a prominent conservative figure known for her sexual assault allegation against former President Bill Clinton which he denied, shared an image of the garment on social media platform X. Her post, which asked "Are you kidding me?? Men, would you wear this $168 sweater?", quickly went viral, amassing over 500,000 views and thousands of outraged comments.
The garment in question is a pink wool pullover featuring ornate, vintage-inspired patterns woven near the neckline. J. Crew markets the item as "festive" and "vintage-inspired", but many conservative commentators saw something more sinister at play.
A Storm of Online Criticism
The response from MAGA-aligned users was swift and severe. Many took particular issue with the sweater's pink colouration and decorative design. One self-described "MAGA extremist" declared it a "WOMAN'S sweater", while another user stated firmly that "No alpha male will ever be caught dead wearing this sweater."
Critics accused the classic American retailer, long associated with preppy style, of deliberately attempting to undermine traditional masculinity. "Emasculating men in America is a serious issue," wrote one user whose profile states, "My pronouns are U.S.A." Another added forcefully, "These brands trying their best to feminize men - it's gross."
The outrage even reached political circles, attracting commentary from Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Kentucky. Rep. Burchett reposted Broaddrick's message, adding his own critique: "It's something a Sorority girl would wear in the 80's."
Not Everyone Agrees
Amid the torrent of criticism, some voices offered a different perspective. One X user pointed out that "Pink shirts were in vogue for a while in the ‘80s," recalling that their mother had bought one for their father.
A reviewer on J. Crew's own website delivered a more forceful rebuke to the critics. "Anyone who says this is a feminine sweater is wrong," the reviewer wrote. "I like guy stuff and this is the best piece in my wardrobe. I smell like beef jerky." A representative for J. Crew did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
A Recurring Pattern of Outrage
This incident is not an isolated one in the ongoing culture war where clothing becomes a political battleground. Last year, retail giant Target limited sales of its LGBTQ-themed apparel following a boycott organised by right-wing groups.
Similarly, liberals have also targeted fashion brands for perceived political stances. Just this summer, an American Eagle jeans advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney faced Democratic backlash over its tagline: "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans." The latest fury over a simple J. Crew sweater demonstrates how everyday consumer items continue to be drafted into the nation's deepening political divisions.
