American Eagle Outfitters' stock surged by more than 23%, reaching its largest single-day gain in 25 years, following President Donald Trump's public praise of the brand's controversial advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The campaign, which highlights Sweeney wearing American Eagle jeans, has sparked debate amid accusations that the ad contains references to white supremacist imagery. Sweeney, a registered Republican in Florida since 2024, has not publicly responded to the controversy. Trump lauded the campaign as the "hottest out there" and encouraged Sweeney with remarks such as "Go get 'em Sydney!" He also contrasted his support for Sweeney with criticism of singer Taylor Swift, whom he described as "woke." The ad has gone viral, generating over 50 million reads across approximately 3,000 articles, and American Eagle has committed to continuing the campaign despite the backlash. The controversy has made Sweeney a prominent figure among conservatives, with political commentators and media outlets discussing the implications of the campaign and its reception. The stock's surge reflects market responsiveness to Trump's influence and the attention the campaign has drawn.
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