Trump Praise, Controversy Fuel American Eagle Stock Surge

American Eagle's stock surged up to 20% after President Donald Trump publicly praised the company's controversial new ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, whom he noted as a registered Republican. The campaign, which plays on the words 'jeans' and 'genes,' has faced criticism for alleged racist undertones and accusations of promoting eugenic or white supremacist messages, although American Eagle insists it is only about denim and self-expression. Trump's endorsement fueled political support on the right, as he contrasted the campaign with what he called 'woke' missteps by other brands and used the occasion to criticize Taylor Swift. The incident highlights the impact of viral political commentary on brand perception and stock prices. Despite the controversy and stock jump, American Eagle has not yet released new sales data. Analysts are waiting to see if the stock surge will result in higher retail sales.