American Eagle Outfitters' stock surged by more than 23% on August 4, 2025, marking its largest single-day gain in 25 years, following U.S. President Donald Trump's public praise of the company's controversial advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Trump described the ad as the "hottest out there" and expressed enthusiasm after learning that Sweeney is a registered Republican in Florida since 2024. The campaign, which highlights Sweeney wearing American Eagle jeans, sparked debate and accusations of promoting white supremacy due to its emphasis on blonde hair and blue eyes. Despite the backlash, American Eagle has doubled down on the campaign, which has gone viral with over 50 million readers across approximately 3,000 articles. The stock's rise pushed the retailer into meme stock territory. Trump also contrasted his support for the ad with criticism of "woke" culture, including remarks about Taylor Swift. The controversy has made Sweeney a focal point among conservative audiences, while some commentators have defended the ad against accusations of racial dog whistles.