Jaguar, the British car brand, has been in the news for the past months. The maker of luxurious vehicles has announced a new CEO after completing a notorious rebrand that includes a new logo and a plan to shift over to developing electric vehicles. The topic has been discussed extensively, going viral, with figures like Donald Trump pitching in with their opinions.
Here's what you should know:
What happened to the CEO?
Earlier today, Jaguar's CEO Adrian Mardell resigned. His departure from the company will take effect this December 31st. Mardell has been serving as the company's leader since 2022, when he took over at a critical time for the company due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mardell notably spearheaded Jaguar's rebranding, announced in late 2024. The rebranding includes the brand's official logo, which dropped the leaping jaguar, a new font, and a slogan that reads "Copy Nothing."
P. B. Balaji will be replacing Mardell, leading Jaguar in the new year.
How did it all start?
In late 2024, Jaguar shared a video that announced its rebranding, showing various models wearing an assortment of striking outfits and colors and doing different things, like holding a sledgehammer and a paintbrush. It didn't feature any cars.
The ad accompanied a new mission for the brand, sharing that it would be launching an all-electric lineup of vehicles by 2026. It all contributed to critics claiming that Jaguar was rebranding itself as "woke."
Following the release of the ad, Jaguar's managing director stood up for his company in an interview with the Financial Times, saying that the company's message was lost "in a blaze of intolerance."
Critics of the ad included personalities like Elon Musk, who wrote on X, "Do you sell cars?" and conservative personalities like Andrew Tate and Nick Freitas.
Donald Trump pitches in
Following the announcement of Jaguar's CEO's resignation, President Trump shared his thoughts on social media.
“On the other side of the ledger, Jaguar did a stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement, THAT IS A TOTAL DISASTER! The CEO just resigned in disgrace, and the company is in absolute turmoil. Who wants to buy a Jaguar after looking at that disgraceful ad," he wrote on his platform, Truth Social.
It's been a big week for brands and politics
It's been a month for ads and politics, with Sydney Sweeney and her American Eagle ad also sparking a furious political debate. The ad shows her promoting the jeans as she looks seductively at the camera.
"Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue," she says. The dialogue has a history, referencing Brooke Shields' iconic Calvin Klein ad, shot when she was 15 years old and criticized due to her age and the sexualized nature of it.
The clip shows Shields talking to the camera and speaking as she puts on some jeans. "The secret of life lies hidden in the genetic code," says Shields.
Critics of Sweeney's ad have discussed her hypersexualization while claiming that the ad promotes complex topics like eugenics and white supremacy.
Many notorious political figures have praised it, including Ted Cruz, JD Vance, and Trump himself. "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there," wrote Trump. "It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are 'flying off the shelves.' Go get ‘em, Sydney!"