Former President Donald J. Trump, following a New York civil fraud case ruling demanding payment of approximately $450 million, made an appearance at a footwear convention in Philadelphia.
There, he showcased Trump-branded sneakers named the “Never Surrender High-Top,” retailing just under $400.
Despite facing a less receptive audience compared to his political rallies, Trump flaunted these golden shoes, adding to his line of branded products like Trump Water, Trump Vodka, and Trump Steaks.
“Wow, a lot of emotion, there’s a lot of emotion in this room,” Mr. Trump said after boos and cheers drowned out his voice as he began speaking. He added, “We’re going to remember the young people, we’re going to remember Sneaker Con.”
Hours before a scheduled campaign rally in Michigan, Mr. Trump’s appearance at the footwear convention marks his latest attempt to leverage his brand amidst legal challenges, including staggering penalties in civil court cases and facing 91 felony counts across four criminal indictments.
Over the past year, he has promoted various items bearing his name and likeness, from trading cards to firearms.
The website selling the shoes clarifies they are not directly affiliated with Donald J. Trump, stating,
“GetTrumpSneakers.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.”
However, the company operates under a licensing agreement to use Trump’s brand, likely entitling him to a share of the revenue. Both Mr. Trump and his campaign surrogates have endorsed the shoes, either at the convention or online.
The sneakers, touted on the selling website as “Bold, gold and tough, just like President Trump,” boast a lavish design coated almost entirely in gold, including the shoelaces.
Adorned with a “T” badge representing Trump and an American flag wrapped around the collar, they exude a distinctive style.
Additionally, the site offers two other more affordable sneaker options in red or white, priced just under $200 each. Furthermore, the site features “Victory47” cologne and perfume, available for just under $100.
Derek Guy, a men’s wear writer known for his analyses of politicians’ style, labeled the promotion as “embarrassing.” On social media, he drew a comparison, suggesting it would be akin to French President Macron or British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak engaging in similar promotional activities.
