At an event in Philadelphia, the Republican candidate debuted shiny gold high-tops with an American flag and 'T' badge.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump has made an unusual stop a day after a judge ordered him to pay nearly $355 million in fines for lying about his wealth and other financial crimes.
Trump attended an event in Philadelphia on Saturday, which calls itself the “Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth,” where he debuted the first official Trump-branded shoes: shiny gold high-tops with an American flag and “T” badge on the back. Up front, the price is $399.
Amid the mix of boos and cheers at Sneaker Con, an event popular with gigs and streetwear collectors, the 77-year-old businessman-turned-politician said: “There's a lot of emotion in this room.”
He stood up and displayed a pair of golden shoes and placed one on each side of his platform. “This is something I've been talking about for 12, 13 years. And I think it will be a big hit.
The Never Surrender high-tops, described on the Get Trump Sneakers website, sell for $99 a bottle along with other Trump-branded shoes and Victory47 cologne and perfume.
“They're for the rich who don't know the word quit … these kicks are for the true patriot,” read the sneakers' description.
Although Trump campaign officials promoted the appearance in online posts, the website says it has nothing to do with Trump's campaign.
The unannounced release came a day after a judge in New York ordered Trump and his company to pay $354.9 million in fines for defrauding his net worth.
The fine comes after Trump ordered author Jean Carroll to pay an additional $83.3 million for reputational damage after she accused him of sexually assaulting her.
With interest payments, Trump's legal debts now exceed $500 million — an amount it's unclear he'll be able to pay.
The sneaker launch isn't the first money-making venture Trump has announced since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022.
Trump announced last year that he earned between $100,000 and $1 million through a series of digital trading cards, photo-edited on a series of cartoon-like images of an astronaut, a cowboy and a superhero.
He has also published books containing photographs of his time in office and letters written to him over the years.
Before he ran for office, Trump called everything from steaks to vodka Trump University.
The new sneakers website says it is run by CIC Ventures LLC, which Trump announced he owns during his 2023 financial disclosure. The website says the new initiative is “non-political and has nothing to do with any political campaign”.
However, it describes the sneakers as a limited edition, “true collector's item” that is “bold, gold and tough just like President Trump”.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”