Trump Praise, Culture Wars Spark 24% American Eagle Jump

American Eagle Outfitters' stock soared up to 24%, marking its largest single-day gain in over twenty years, after former President Donald Trump praised the company's controversial ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney on Truth Social. Trump emphasized Sweeney's status as a 'registered Republican' and called the ad the 'HOTTEST,' which spurred a meme-driven rally. The ad, which employs the phrase 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans/genes,' drew criticism for alleged hypersexualization and for highlighting Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes, leading some to accuse it of eugenic or racially charged undertones. American Eagle defended the campaign, saying it was solely about fashion and self-expression. The controversy turned into a battleground in the culture wars, with Trump also criticizing 'woke' advertising and Taylor Swift. Despite the jump, American Eagle's stock is still down for the year, underscoring ongoing volatility amid political and cultural scrutiny.