American Eagle Stock Soars After Trump Backs Sydney Sweeney Ad

Trump’s Endorsement and Stock Surge

Former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to praise American Eagle's latest advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. In his post, Trump described the ad as the "HOTTEST" and stated that American Eagle's jeans were "flying off the shelves," linking the campaign’s success to Sweeney's appearance.

Shortly after Trump's post, American Eagle's stock price experienced a dramatic surge. Shares rose by 16% in Monday’s trading session, marking one of the most significant intraday gains for the retailer this year. The market reaction highlights the influence of public endorsements, particularly from high-profile figures like Trump, on stock performance. It also underscores the campaign's resonance with consumers and investors alike, despite its polarizing nature.

Controversial Campaign and Public Reactions

American Eagle's campaign features the tagline "Sydney Sweeney great jeans," a play on words that also evokes "great genes." Critics, particularly from far-left circles, have accused the campaign of perpetuating outdated and exclusionary beauty standards by focusing on Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes. Some even interpreted the slogan as having undertones of eugenics, sparking controversy on social media.

In response, American Eagle issued a brief statement clarifying the ad’s intent, emphasizing that the campaign is solely about jeans. The company stated, "Sydney Sweeney great jeans. It’s about the jeans. Period." While the retailer has largely avoided engaging further in the debate, the mixed reception highlights the challenges of creating impactful marketing in today’s politically charged climate.

Broader Implications for American Eagle

The controversy surrounding American Eagle’s ad echoes issues faced by other brands, such as Bud Light’s collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney, which resulted in significant backlash and a decline in sales. However, American Eagle’s campaign demonstrates the other side of the coin—garnering attention without being labeled as “woke” may resonate with certain consumer demographics.

Google Trends data shows that search interest in American Eagle has reached its highest level in two decades, likely driven by the campaign’s virality. Whether this increased visibility translates into sustained sales growth will be revealed in the company’s upcoming earnings report. For now, American Eagle’s move to feature a high-profile actress like Sydney Sweeney appears to have brought the brand back into the spotlight during a critical back-to-school shopping season.