The chief executive of American Eagle has fired back at critics of the company’s controversial campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney. CEO Jay Schottenstein fiercely denied that his company was pushing eugenics and racial supremacy in the jeans advertisement, which featured the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Euphoria star with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” “We never would’ve done it” if we felt it would be offensive in any way,” Schottenstein told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Monday. The CEO said that as an Orthodox Jew, he was baffled by claims the company was promoting eugenics. “I’m very conscious of that term,” Schottenstein said, noting his mother-in-law grew up in Nazi Germany and witnessed anti-Semitic attacks. He continued, “You can’t run from fear… we stand behind what we did.” Despite the backlash, the company gained nearly a million new customers between July and September. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in support of the actress and the company. He wrote, “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there.”
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler began his jail sentence after pleading guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges. Cutler, who is also reality star Kristin Cavallari’s ex husband, is slated to serve four days behind bars in Franklin, Tennessee, as part of a plea deal. In October 2024, Cutler, 42, rear-ended a car while intoxicated. Authorities reported that he had been slurring his speech and refused to take a sobriety test. Police said they discovered two firearms in his car, one of which was loaded. Before his plea deal, Cutler faced charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving leading to a collision, violating implied consent regulations, and unlawfully possessing a firearm while intoxicated. Along with his jail sentence, the former quarterback will be expected to pay a $350 fine, serve a year of unsupervised probation, attend a DUI safety course, and have his license suspended for a year. Cutler played for three different teams during his 12-year football tenure, including the Denver Broncos, the Chicago Bears, and the Miami Dolphins. He retired in 2017, then briefly un-retired for one more season that same year, before he retired again. Cutler married Cavallari, 38, in 2013 and had three children together before their high-profile split in 2020. The couple starred in the E! reality series Very Cavallari from 2018–2020.
Imagine this: a chilly day, a mug of hot chocolate, and your favorite comfort movie: all while snuggling in a dreamy Lola Blanket. Big and puffy, Lola Blankets are unbelievably soft and come in a variety of designs from high-profile collaborations (think Tezza, Rachel Parcell, Harmony Beus, and Chris Loves Julia) and colorways (neutrals, fall, dorm, and camo). In an exclusive offer to Daily Beast readers, Lola Blankets is offering 35% off with the code DAILYBEAST35 at checkout.
The Original Lola Blanket uses the plushest faux-fur fabric for unparalleled softness, with four-way stretch that lets you move freely and comfortably. Plus the fabric meets OEKO-TEX® standards, meaning it’s free of harmful substances. These blankets are built to last, too. They are doubled-hemmed for extra durability, stain-resistant (wine lovers rejoice), and machine washable.
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South Africa’s ambassador to France plunged to his death in Paris after the “secure window” of his 22nd-floor hotel room was “forced open,” according to French prosecutors. Emmanuel Nkosinathi Mthethwa, 58, had been reported missing on Monday after his wife received a “worrying message.” Police initially scoured nearby woods, fearing he had died via suicide, but his body was discovered Tuesday “right next to” the four-star Hyatt Porte Maillot in the northwest of the capital, Le Parisien reported. “The secure window was forced open,” the prosecutor’s office said. French outlet Le Figaro reported that initial findings suggest Mthethwa jumped, though investigators have opened a full inquiry. Mthethwa, appointed ambassador in February 2024 and South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, had a decades-long political career. His death came amid scrutiny in South Africa where an ongoing inquiry is probing allegations of political and criminal syndicates meddling in police affairs. He was the former Minister of Police. A police commissioner had accused Mthethwa of attempting to influence the inspector general of intelligence to drop charges against a former head of police crime intelligence.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.
No one makes headlines, warps reality, or bends the world to his will quite like Donald Trump. But what actually fuels the most powerful—and polarizing—man alive?
Inside Trump’s Head is a new twice-weekly Daily Beast podcast that unpacks everything that’s really going on in the psyche of the man the world can’t stop watching. Each episode, Michael Wolff—the definitive Trump biographer, who has spent more time studying Trump’s thoughts and patterns than nearly anyone else alive—joins our Chief Creative and Content Officer, Joanna Coles, to fearlessly dissect the President’s moves, motives, and madness to understand what’s actually driving his decisions.
From hidden health issues to alleged Epstein connections to all of the chaos still to come, Inside Trump’s Head brings you unfiltered analysis you can’t find anywhere else. Episodes drop on Tuesday and Thursday on YouTube and Wednesday and Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast players. Subscribe now—because looking away isn’t an option.
Prost! Oktoberfest is back. It’s time to break out the lederhosen, ready the assorted mustards, and (of course) enjoy some well-deserved libations. However, for those looking to avoid the next-day hangover, Cycling Frog offers a selection of non-alcoholic beverages and gummies designed to provide a worry-free buzz. The products feature THC, CBD, and other beneficial cannabinoids, offering a well-rounded cannabis experience. They’re crafted with bold, delicious flavors—from tropical blends to classic favorites. And, Cycling Frog prioritizes clear labeling so you can feel confident in every dose, whether it’s your first time trying or not. The name of the game is no alcohol, no worries, and no spilling the steins.
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A number of multi-million dollar properties on the California seafront are at risk of falling into the Pacific Ocean after a “mini-landslide” saw a 300-400ft section of bluff face slide into the sea over the weekend. No injuries were reported during the landslide, but several properties were affected by the “significant soil movement,” and residents are growing weary of future activity. “I live not too far from here, and occasionally see a crack in the foundation,” resident Scott Leslie told ABC7. “There’s so much movement going on down here, it is very concerning, and it’s not really evident what it is being attributed to.” The town of Rancho Palos Verdes has been plagued by hundreds of landslides, and the slides in the Portuguese Bend area remain a persistent problem that has damaged roads and rendered nearly 20 homes uninhabitable. Yet despite the dramatic earth movements, most residents appeared unfazed. News footage and eyewitness accounts showed people lounging by a pool just feet from the newly created precipice, which had damaged nearby fencing and teetered dangerously close to a 40-foot drop. City manager Ara Mihranian said he was “concerned” about the movements and had hired geologists to investigate the area, but stressed there was no need to evacuate the properties.
Dozens of people onboard a cruise from San Diego have fallen ill in a massive outbreak of norovirus. The outbreak hit 71 passengers and one crew member on the Royal Caribbean Serenade after it had left San Diego en route to Miami via Mexican riviera, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Cartagena, Colombia. All 71 have been confined to their rooms to help contain the spread of the gastrointestinal illness, whose primary symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. The 13-night voyage departed on Sept. 19 and is disembark its more than 2,000 passengers in Miami on Oct. 2. “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,” the Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement. “To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.” Following the outbreak, Royal Caribbean had “increased cleaning and disinfection procedures,” the CDC reported. Nineteen gastrointestinal outbreaks have been reported on cruise ships this year, 14 of which were caused by the norovirus.
Cops have arrested a trio of sodden men claiming to be pilgrims on suspicion of shipping 3.6 tons of cocaine in a Narco submarine. Policía Nacional officers and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were investigating a suspected gang pretending to be a nautical sale-and-repair service. The international investigation in Galicia, Spain, kicked off in August and led to a total of 14 arrests. Cops went to intercept the gang after they were spotted heading out on boats. Officers jumped on them when they returned laden with bales of cocaine. Authorities stated that a high-speed chase ensued, during which one of the gang’s trucks overturned. Cops seized 3.6 tons of cocaine, while a raid on their facility also led to the discovery of cash worth $64,137, five cars, and two boats. More cocaine was found under a tarp on a beach close by. The three men—two Ecuadorians and a Colombian—suspected of being the crew of the submarine, were arrested separately later on when a taxi driver became suspicious of them. The men were soaking wet, claiming to be pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago trail. A wetsuit was found in one of their bags. The sub is believed scuttled. The head of the drug and crime unit, Antonio Martínez Duarte, said, “After hours of sacrifice and silent work, we’ve been able to arrest the crew and seize the drugs on land, something that isn’t that common in Galicia.”
An aviation influencer has crashed and died in the middle of a livestream viewed by hundreds of followers. Tang Feiji, 55, was flying his twin-rotor copter when he lost control and plummeted to the ground, with the craft erupting in a ball of flames, state media China News Service reports. Tang, who was from the city of Guangyuan in Sichuan Province, had some 100,000 followers on Douyin, an app similar to TikTok. State media reports, “His body was recovered from the crash site, and his family members have arrived to handle the aftermath.” Footage from Sunday’s incident circulating widely online shows the twin-rotor copter flying along. The video then cuts to a camera on the ground as the copter crashes, with flames roaring shortly afterward. Tang previously stated that he purchased the contraption for the equivalent of $49,000. He claimed it could travel at 60 mph and reach heights of 2,000 feet. His social media platforms were switched to private shortly after the incident.
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Sleep can be hard to come by these days. From city noise and snoring partners to late-night scrolling and spiraling thoughts, there’s a lot that can get in the way of a good night’s rest. In fact, research suggests that one in three adults doesn’t get enough sleep. (Hello, fellow insomniacs!) Luckily, you don’t have to accept exhaustion as your default—Ozlo Sleepbuds can help improve sleep hygiene sans habit-forming treatments or sleeping in separate rooms (aka ‘sleep divorce’).
Developed by former Bose engineers, Ozlo Sleepbuds are a science-backed wearable engineered to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer every night. Unlike earplugs or other sleep aid gadgets, Ozlo doesn’t just block sound. Instead, these earbuds are specifically designed to support a restful sleeping experience.
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In addition to premium noise-masking capabilities, the buds feature biometric sleep detection that senses when you fall asleep and transitions from whatever audio you were listening to—yes, you can stream from all your favorite apps—into built-in soundscapes engineered for rest. Plus, the side sleeper-friendly Sleepbuds are designed for all-night comfort, so you can drift off without distraction until the gentle in-ear alarm wakes you (not your partner) up in the morning.
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A Royal Caribbean cruise ship happened to be at the right place at the right time Sunday evening when it encountered a group of castaways. Come Cruise With Me reported that the Enchantment of the Seas ship was en route from Tampa, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico, when it diverted from its original course to avoid Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda, leading to the discovery of 12 people aboard a makeshift raft. According to reports, the castaways, who were floating in the Caribbean Sea, were saved just as the raft “was starting to fall apart.” Upon discovering the individuals who were “in distress at sea,” the cruise ship investigated the situation and rendered aid, bringing the individuals onto the vessel and gave them drinking water. It is not known who the castaways are or how they came to be in their situation. Passengers onboard recorded the incident and shared the video on social media. This is not the first time a Royal Caribbean cruise has saved lives; CNN reported in February that the Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship rescued 11 individuals floating on a small boat in the Gulf of Mexico. The Daily Beast has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.
Posted by Jeffrey Walker on Sunday, September 28, 2025
A man who was partaking in a long-distance swim off the coast of California was bitten by a shark Tuesday morning. According to authorities, the unidentified swimmer, aged between 50 to 55, was swimming the popular 20-mile Catalina Channel, which takes swimmers from Catalina Island to the mainland, when he was attacked. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was alerted to the incident around 1:30 a.m. by crew members from the swimmer’s pace boat. “It sounded like about a three to four-foot white shark just nipped at his leg and his foot and then took off,” said LAFD Fireboat Pilot Shaun Corby to KTLA. The victim was around halfway between Catalina and the mainland coast when he was bit, resulting in minor wounds that were already treated by the time the Fire Department arrived at the scene. “He had minor wounds to his leg, and they were already wrapped up,” Corby said. “We just grabbed the victim and transported him back to our station, and transported him to the hospital.” According to Corby, shark bite incidents in this region of the Pacific Ocean are considered “super rare.”