Reeling from a $450 million fine, Trump Hawks $400 shoes

Former President Donald J. Trump, reeling from a ruling in a civil fraud case in New York on Friday that ordered him to pay about $450 million, appeared at a shoe convention in Philadelphia the next day to sell Trump-branded sneakers promote, which retails for just under $400.

The former president took the stage at Sneaker Con — in front of a less friendly crowd than is typical at his political rallies — brandishing gold shoes called the “Never Surrender High-Top,” which follow in the footsteps of Trump-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 to speak. He added: “We're going to remember the young people, we're going to remember Sneaker Con.”

The appearance, just hours before a planned campaign rally in Michigan, is Mr. Trump's latest attempt to capitalize on his brand as he faces staggering penalties in civil lawsuits and 91 misdemeanor charges in four criminal indictments. In the past year alone, Mr. Trump has promoted trading cards, his mugshot, scraps of his clothes and firearms bearing his name and likeness.

The website selling the shoes says they are not “designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump,” adding that “GetTrumpSneakers.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign .” But the company is using Mr. Trump's brand through a licensing deal, under which he would most likely get a cut of revenue. Mr. Trump, his campaign and his surrogates have all promoted the shoes, either at the convention or online.

The sneakers, described on the website where they are sold as “Bold, gold and cool, just like President Trump,” are covered almost entirely in gold — even the shoelaces — and feature a “T” badge for Trump and an American flag wrapped. around the collar. The site also offers two other cheaper sneaker styles in red or white for just under $200, as well as “Victory47” cologne and perfume that retail for just under $100.

Derek Dudea menswear writer who has written extensively about it the style of politicianscalled the promotion “embarrassing.”

“Imagine Macron doing a limited drop and Rishi Sunak doing pop-up events,” he says wrote on social mediareferring to the French president and British prime minister who made similar promotions.