American Eagle Outfitters' stock surged over 24% on August 4, 2025, marking its largest single-day gain in 25 years, following U.S. President Donald Trump's public endorsement of the company's controversial jeans advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The ad, which sparked backlash for its perceived ambiguous messaging related to blonde hair and blue eyes, became a focal point of political and cultural debate. Trump praised the campaign after learning that Sweeney is a registered Republican, describing the ad as the "hottest out there" and stating, "If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic." He also contrasted his support for the ad with criticism of what he called "woke" culture, including a disparaging remark about singer Taylor Swift. American Eagle doubled down on the campaign amid the controversy, with the jeans reportedly selling strongly. Sweeney, who has been publicly silent on the political affiliation revelation, made a red carpet appearance embracing an Americana theme shortly after the ad's release. The stock rally pushed American Eagle shares into meme stock territory, reflecting the influence of political endorsements on market movements. The campaign and ensuing stock surge have drawn international media attention, highlighting the intersection of politics, marketing, and consumer behavior.