Sydney Sweeney's Jeans Ad Campaign Praised by Trump After Actor Revealed to Be a Registered Republican.

Actor Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, faced criticism for appearing in an American Eagle ad campaign. Donald Trump praised the ad after learning of her party affiliation. Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the ad "the HOTTEST" and saying shares in American Eagle Outfitters soared on Wall Street. The campaign featured Sweeney dressed in denim and used the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans." Some critics accused the brand of promoting eugenics theory.

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) stock surged on Monday, August 4, following a social media post by President Donald Trump praising the retailer's ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The ad, which launched on July 23, has sparked controversy due to its tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" and a video where Sweeney discusses "genes" [1][2][3][4].

The ad's tagline and the video have drawn criticism, with some accusing the campaign of promoting eugenics, a discredited theory that suggests certain genetic traits are superior [1][2]. However, American Eagle has maintained that the campaign is about Sweeney's jeans and her personal style [2].

Trump's involvement in the controversy appears to have bolstered investor interest in AEO. After learning that Sweeney is a registered Republican, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the ad "the HOTTEST" and stating that shares in American Eagle Outfitters were soaring [1][3]. His comments triggered a significant positive market reaction for the apparel retailer, with shares climbing as much as 23.53% on the day [1][3].

The ad's controversy and subsequent presidential mention have boosted investor interest in the retailer’s stock. While the ad initially saw a 16% boost upon its release, shares were down over the past week as backlash escalated [2]. However, following Trump's praise, the stock saw a 23.53% increase at the market's close on August 4 [1][3].

References:
[1] https://www.axios.com/2025/08/04/sydney-sweeney-american-eagle-trump
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/08/04/american-eagle-stock-trump-sydney-sweeney/85515756007/
[3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-eagle-stock-soars-trump-144548679.html
[4] https://news.sky.com/story/donald-trump-wades-into-sydney-sweeney-ad-debate-13407019