Trump’s Pro–Energy and Defense Endorsement of Julia Letlow: Potential Tailwind for Energy, Defense, and Industrials Stocks

President Trump has posted a new announcement on Truth Social, the social media platform. He wrote:

“RT @realDonaldTrump Highly Respected America First Congresswoman, Julia Letlow, of the wonderful State of Louisiana, is a Great Star, has been from the very beginning, and only gets better! I am hearing that Julia is considering launching her Campaign for the United States Senate in Louisiana, a place I love and WON BIG, six times, including Primaries, in 2016, 2020, and 2024!

I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! A Proud Mother of two children, Julia is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would continue doing so in the United States Senate. As your next Senator, Julia will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.

Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

How Will Trump’s Statement Affect the Stock Market?

This latest post has the potential to affect the stock market. That’s because Trump’s strong endorsement of Julia Letlow on an explicitly pro–oil & gas, pro–defense, and pro–manufacturing platform could create a short-term sentiment boost for energy producers and services (XOM, XLE, OIH, VDE) and defense/aerospace names (LMT, PPA, XAR, ITA), as well as broader industrials (VIS, XLI, IYJ) that are tied to U.S. infrastructure and manufacturing themes. Deere (DE) may see modest positive read-through from rhetoric supporting farmers and domestic production, though the impact is likely smaller and more localized than for energy and defense. Overall, while a single social post has limited fundamental impact, it reinforces market narratives around Republican policy priorities—lower regulation, energy dominance, defense spending—that investors often interpret as constructive for these sectors and related ETFs.

Here are some of the stocks that might be affected:
Deere & Company ((DE)),
Exxon Mobil Corp. ((XOM)),
Lockheed Martin ((LMT)),
Vanguard Industrials ETF ((VIS)),
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ((XLI)),
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ((XLE)),
VanEck Oil Services ETF ((OIH)),
Vanguard Energy ETF ((VDE)),
Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF ((PPA)),
SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF ((XAR)),
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ((ITA)),
iShares U.S. Industrials ETF ((IYJ)).