American Eagle Shares Surge Over 15% After Trump Praises Sydney Sweeney Ad

Shares of American Eagle Outfitters surged over 15% following President Trump's public praise of the retailer’s fall ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican. Trump lauded the campaign on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming the jeans were "flying off the shelves" and encouraging consumers to support Sweeney, which helped reverse a recent slump in the company's stock. The ad, which includes a pun on "jeans" and "genes," sparked criticism for allegedly promoting eugenics and glorifying certain physical traits, leading to accusations of the campaign being sexist and out of touch. Trump contrasted Sweeney favorably against figures he described as "woke," such as singer Taylor Swift and companies like Jaguar and Bud Light, reinforcing his stance against progressive cultural movements. Despite the stock rebound, American Eagle continues to face broader economic challenges, including slow sales, a merchandise write-down, and lowered revenue forecasts. The full impact of the campaign on American Eagle’s sales remains uncertain amid ongoing public debate.