Former President Donald Trump has surprised many by launching his own line of sneakers, just a day after a court ordered him to pay up to $355 million for financial fraud.
The shoes, which range from $199 to $399, are part of a new website that also sells Trump-branded perfume and cologne. But is this a savvy business move or a desperate attempt to raise funds and appeal to younger voters?
Trump unveiled his sneakers at Sneaker Con, a convention for sneaker enthusiasts, in Philadelphia on Saturday. He was greeted with a mixed reaction of cheers and boos, as he showed off a pair of gold high tops with an American flag detail on the back.
He called them the “Never Surrender High-Tops” and said he had wanted to do this for a long time. He also hinted that the sneakers were part of his 2024 presidential campaign, saying he would “remember the young people” and “turn this country around fast”.
The website selling the sneakers, which has no connection to Trump’s campaign or the Trump Organization, claims that the shoes are “made in America” and “designed by the 45th President of the United States”. It also offers a “Victory47” perfume and cologne, which refer to Trump’s potential second term as the 47th president.
The products are licensed by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that has previously sold Trump-themed merchandise.
However, not everyone is impressed by Donald Trump’s new venture. Some critics have mocked the sneakers as “bootleg Off-Whites”, a reference to a popular streetwear brand, and questioned the quality and authenticity of the products. Others have pointed out the irony of him launching a sneaker line after being ordered to pay a huge penalty for fraudulently inflating his net worth to secure loans.
On Friday, a New York judge ruled that the former president and his family businesses had engaged in “repeated and persistent fraud” over a decade, and ordered them to pay $363.8 million plus interest to the state.
Donald Trump faces several other legal challenges, including four criminal trials, over various allegations of tax evasion, campaign finance violations, and obstruction of justice. His financial situation is also precarious, as he reportedly owes more than $400 million in debt that is due in the next few years.
