Former President Donald Trump publicly praised Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad, calling it the “hottest ad out there” on his Truth Social platform. He also said the jeans in the campaign are “flying off the shelves,” suggesting the ad helped boost sales. Trump mentioned that Sweeney is a registered Republican, which he pointed out during a public appearance. He told reporters the ad was “fantastic,” showing his clear support for Sweeney and the brand. His endorsement was seen as a strong political gesture that could influence both fans and voters. The ad itself features Sydney Sweeney talking about hereditary traits like hair and eye color. It uses a play on words with “genes” and “jeans,” linking genetics to the denim products. Visually, the ad focuses on Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair. It has a sultry tone, with scenes of her zipping up jeans and highlighting her appearance. Its tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” mixes the idea of genetics with fashion appeal. The ad aimed to attract attention by blending style and a genetic theme. The controversy surrounding the ad led to widespread online debate about racial messaging and ethics. Critics argued that the wording and images promoted eugenics or white nationalist ideas. The focus on traits associated with whiteness led to accusations of racial messaging. Social media users quickly shared their opinions, fueling online debates. The retailer responded by removing the main promotional video. Still, some versions of the ad remained online, keeping the controversy alive. American Eagle has a history of engaging in provocative marketing campaigns to appeal to younger audiences. American Eagle defended its campaign publicly. The company said the ad was “about the jeans” and not meant to promote political or racial ideas. They issued a statement on Instagram to clarify their intentions. The company wanted to show that the ad’s message was about fashion, not politics. Despite the controversy, the ad’s praise from Trump had a strong impact. American Eagle’s stock price rose more than 20% on the Monday after Trump’s comments. The increase happened shortly after markets opened that day. Investors seemed to see Trump’s endorsement as a positive sign. The boost in sales and stock value showed how powerful his support could be, even when the ad was controversial.
