United States: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made an unusual stop shortly after a New York judge ordered him to pay nearly $355 million in fines for lying about his wealth and other financial crimes.
The Former President attended a self-described “Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth” in Philadelphia, where he debuted Trump-branded footwear, shiny gold high-tops with an American flag on the back and a “T” badge on the front, priced at $399.
Amid cheers and boos at Sneaker Con, an event popular with kicks and streetwear collectors, the 77-year-old businessman-turned-politician said that, “There’s a lot of emotion in this room.”
Trump held up a pair of golden shoes, placing one on either side of his podium, and said that, “This is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years. I think it will be a great success.”
The Get Trump Sneakers website sells Trump-branded shoes, including the Never Surrender High-Tops, and Victory47 cologne and perfume for $99 per bottle. The sneakers’ description quoted that, “They are for go-getters who don’t know the word quit. These kicks are for true Patriot.”
The appearance was promoted by Trump campaign officials, despite the website claiming no connection to the campaign. The unannounced launch comes shortly after Trump and his company were ordered to pay a $354.9 million fine for defrauding his estate.
The penalty came after the presidential candidate was ordered to pay a further $83.3 million to writer Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation after she charged him with sexual assault. The lawful deficits of Trump might now exceed $500 million as a result of interest payments.
The sneaker launch wasn’t the first money-making venture Trump has announced since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022. Last year Trump noted that he earned between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards that illustrated him via photo editing, in a string of cartoon-like images, including an astronaut, cowboy and superhero.
The Republican leading politician has also released books containing photos of his time in office and letters written to him over the years. Before his presidency, Trump marketed various products, including steaks, vodka, and a venture known as Trump University.
According to the new sneakers website, it is operated by CIC Ventures LLC, which Trump reported owning in a 2023 financial disclosure. “The new initiative is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign,” the website says.
Yet, it defines the sneakers as “a limited-edition, numbered true collector’s item that is bold, gold, and tough, just like President Trump.”
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