American Eagle Stock Jumps 23% After Trump Praises Controversial Sydney Sweeney Ad

Core Viewpoint - American Eagle's stock surged nearly 23% following President Trump's praise for actress Sydney Sweeney's controversial advertisement, which has sparked debates over its implications regarding eugenics and "wokeness" [2][4]. Company Performance - American Eagle's stock price increased by almost 23% as of 3 p.m. EDT on Monday, following Trump's endorsement of Sweeney's ad [2]. - The stock's rise began shortly after Trump's post on Truth Social, which highlighted the popularity of the jeans featured in the ad [2]. Controversy Surrounding the Advertisement - The advertisement features Sweeney making a pun about "jeans" and "genes," which critics argue suggests that her blonde-haired, blue-eyed traits are more desirable, drawing accusations of promoting eugenics [5]. - Shalini Shankar, an anthropology professor, criticized the ad for aligning American Eagle with a "white nationalist, MAGA-friendly identity" [5]. Responses to the Controversy - Sweeney has not publicly commented on the backlash, while American Eagle defended the ad, stating it was focused on celebrating individual confidence in wearing their jeans [6][7]. - High-profile Republicans have supported Sweeney, framing the ad as a challenge to "woke" culture, with notable figures like Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz voicing their backing [7].