Business
During his third presidential campaign, he sold Bibles, sneakers, photo books and cryptocurrencies. Now Donald Trump is launching a brand new business enterprise: diamond-studded watches.
The Republican presidential candidate unveiled the “Official Trump Watch Collection” on Thursday. The costliest version, with 122 diamonds on the bezel and three 18-karat gold versions, costs $100,000. Another “Fight Fight Fight” model is listed for $499.
Trump has peddled a spread of branded products since his White House campaign began in 2024, following his long tradition of mixing his political and business interests. The release on Thursday, 40 days before Election Day, could open him as much as criticism for monetizing his campaign, particularly as he argues that Vice President Kamala Harris is out of touch with Americans' economic problems.
While web sites for the assorted products note that proceeds from their sales do circuitously profit Trump or his campaign, in addition they note that every product is subject to a “paid license agreement.” This is similar mechanism that allowed Trump to profit for years from selling water, vodka and steaks long before he entered politics.
Earlier this week, he announced the sale of $100 silver coins featuring his face. In March, before Easter, Trump posted a video on Truth Social urging his followers to spend $59.99 on a “God Bless the USA Bible” inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood's patriotic ballad was. Trump takes the song to the stage at each of his rallies and has performed with Greenwood at events.
In February, he hawked latest Trump-branded sneakers at Sneaker Con, an event that bills itself as “the biggest sneaker show in the world.” The shoes, shiny gold high-tops with an American flag detail on the back, are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops” for $399 on a brand new website that also lists other Trump-branded shoes in addition to cologne and perfume “Victory47” sells for $99 a bottle.
Trump has also dabbled in NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, reporting last 12 months that he made between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards depicting him in cartoon-like images, including as an astronaut, Cowboy and superhero.
Some of those items, including coins, sneakers and Bibles, were listed as being affiliated with CIC Ventures LLC, an organization that Trump said he owned in his 2023 financial disclosure and that has the same agreement with 45Footwear, which also says it’s Trump's “Names” used. Likeness and Image under a paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license could also be terminated or revoked in accordance with its terms and conditions.”
The items were put up on the market as a part of a $489 million civil fraud judgment against the previous president, which a New York appeals court on Thursday appeared ready to cut back or vacate.
According to a disclaimer on a sales website, the watches are subject to the same agreement to license Trump's name, image and likeness, and the proceeds from their sales don’t go to Trump's campaign or the Trump Organization and “are not designed, manufactured or distributed.” or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, or any of their respective affiliates or principals.”
Instead, TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC – the corporate listed because the distributor – says it’s using the name, likeness and likeness of “Trump” under a paid license agreement, which might be terminated or revoked based on the terms. Trump watches are intended as collectibles for individual enjoyment only, not for investment purposes.”
A Trump campaign spokesman referred questions on the licensing agreement to the Trump Organization, which didn’t immediately return a message searching for comment. TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC also didn’t immediately reply to an inquiry in regards to the deal via its website.
image credit : www.boston.com