Trump promotes high-priced timepieces worth $100,000, utilizing his political campaign for financial gain.
The Republican nominee introduced his newest merchandise line, Trump Watches, on social media on a Thursday, 40 days prior to the election and during a day when he wasn't visible on the campaign trail. He encouraged his followers to consider purchasing these watches as potential Christmas presents, providing a link for doing so.
The watches boast four different price ranges, with the Tourbillon model costing an eye-watering $100,000. The collection includes three color options and is limited to just 147 pieces.
Trump enthusiastically endorsed the watches on Truth Social, the same platform where he shares political messages with his supporters.
A disclaimer on the website clarifies that neither Trump nor his company were involved in the design, manufacturing, distribution, or sale of the watches. Instead, a company called "TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC" obtained the right to utilize the Trump brand to market the wristwatch collection.
Since joining the race almost two years ago, Trump has made significant profits through the sale of merchandise bearing his name and likeness. For instance, he earned $7.2 million through a collaboration with NFT INT, LLC, a company selling digital NFT "trading cards" showcasing Trump.
He has also released a line of golden sneakers, two books, and a series of Trump-themed Bibles in partnership with a publishing company co-founded by his son, Donald Trump Jr. Furthermore, ad campaigns for his Trump-branded goods have been released.
This week, he introduced "Trump Coins" – a 1oz .999% silver medallion bearing Trump's likeness on one side and his signature on the White House on the reverse. Like the watches, these coins are a product of another licensing agreement. Trump showcased the coins in a video message recorded at Mar-a-Lago, which maintained a similar format and aesthetic to his campaign's promotional materials.
Meanwhile, as his bid against Vice President Kamala Harris remains tightly contested, Trump recently unveiled a new cryptocurrency venture. This project is driven by his sons and Steve Witkoff, a close friend and real estate developer.
The new cryptocurrency venture underscores Trump's continued involvement in politics and business, combining both spheres. Regardless of its success, the watches' high prices become a talking point in political discussions about wealth inequality.
