No matter how one feels about Donald Trump, there’s no denying his unparalleled knack for making money. While his track record as a husband, businessman, and president has seen its fair share of missteps and controversies, his financial success remains a constant. Despite several high-profile business failures and bankruptcy filings, Trump has managed to maintain a perplexing level of wealth, largely thanks to his exceptional marketing skills.
One of Trump’s most prominent talents is his ability to market himself. For decades, he’s been a master of self-promotion, and since his dramatic announcement of candidacy for president, his brand has only grown stronger. This skill is so ingrained that Trump can turn almost any situation—whether it be legal troubles or personal controversies—into a new revenue stream. His latest venture is a striking example of this: Trump is now selling merchandise related to a recent assassination attempt on his life.
Yes, you read that correctly. In a move that underscores his relentless commercialism, Trump is offering sneakers that commemorate the assassination attempt. These sneakers, which have been described as both gaudy and tasteless, feature a photo of Trump in the aftermath of the incident. The image captures him raising his fist and urging his supporters to “fight,” emblazoned in bold, all-caps letters. The shoes are priced at an eye-watering $299, according to Gizmodo, and are marketed through the website gettrumpsneakers.com.
The shoes, however, are no longer available on the website. This could be due to them being out of stock or simply because they haven’t been released yet. Regardless, the site currently features other bizarre items, such as “victory perfume” priced over $100, reflecting the same dystopian, satirical tone as the sneakers. Even though the sneakers are not listed, images of them have surfaced in various publications, showing them adorned with the American flag and Trump’s signature gold detailing.
The marketing of such items raises significant questions about taste and appropriateness. While Trump’s ability to turn even the most contentious events into profitable ventures is remarkable, it also often sparks criticism and debate about the ethics of such commercialization. In this case, the sneakers are not only a testament to Trump’s enduring marketing prowess but also a stark reminder of how far he will go to capitalize on his personal brand.
