Former President Donald Trump made a surprising appearance at “Sneaker Con,” the self-proclaimed “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth,” held at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Amidst loud boos and cheers, Trump unveiled his latest venture: Trump-branded sneakers. The gold lame high tops, adorned with an American flag detail on the back, are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops” for a hefty price of $399 on a newly launched website. The website claims no affiliation with Trump’s campaign, although campaign officials did promote the event on social media.
This event comes on the heels of a New York judge’s ruling that Trump must pay $355 million in penalties for lying about his wealth over the years. The former president has also been ordered to pay $83.3 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation after she accused him of sexual assault. With interest payments, Trump’s legal debts could exceed half a billion dollars, raising questions about his ability to afford these payments.
Trump’s appearance at Sneaker Con drew mixed reactions from the crowd. Supporters donned Trump gear and chanted “USA!” while detractors booed him. The dueling chants created an emotionally charged atmosphere, making it difficult to hear Trump speak at times. Some attendees were taken by surprise by his presence and continued shopping as a crowd gathered around the stage. The audience consisted of younger and more diverse individuals compared to Trump’s usual rally crowds. His campaign hopes to win over more young and minority voters, especially young Black men, in a potential rematch against President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election.
This is not the first money-making venture Trump has embarked on since launching his third campaign for the presidency in 2022. Last year, he reported earning between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards featuring cartoon-like images of himself as an astronaut, cowboy, and superhero. Trump’s newly launched sneaker website is operated by CIC Ventures LLC, a company listed in his 2023 financial disclosure. CIC Digital LLC, a similar entity, owns his digital trading card NFTs. The website emphasizes that the venture is non-political and unrelated to any political campaign.
The Trump-branded sneakers are described as limited-edition collector’s items that embody the bold and tough nature of President Trump. The shoes feature red bottoms, a detail praised by attendees Jonathen Santiago and Danea Mitchell, who traveled from Monroe County in Pennsylvania to witness the event. Despite Trump’s legal troubles, Mitchell remains confident in his potential presidency, stating, “I think it’ll be an interesting four years if he’s found guilty, but I have no doubt he’ll be president.”
Among the crowd, a group of “cheer moms” from New Jersey also attended the event. Karla Burke shared her experience, noting that while there were some booing and noise, the majority of the people around her were supporters. She expressed her unwavering support for Trump, believing that the penalties imposed on him were unjust and part of an effort to prevent him from becoming the Republican candidate.
The appearance at Sneaker Con was met with criticism from Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler, who sarcastically remarked, “Donald Trump showing up to hawk bootleg Off-Whites is the closest he’ll get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life.” Despite the criticism, Trump planned to hold a rally later that day in Michigan, aiming to gain support in the suburbs of Detroit.
Donald Trump’s foray into the sneaker industry adds another chapter to his post-presidential ventures. Whether these Trump-branded sneakers will find success among sneaker enthusiasts remains to be seen. However, Trump continues to make headlines and capture attention with his unconventional business endeavors. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it will be interesting to see how these ventures impact his political aspirations and public perception.
