Former President Donald Trump surprised attendees at the Sneaker Con event in Philadelphia by unveiling his new Trump-branded sneakers. The event, known as the “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth,” saw a mixed reaction from the crowd, with loud boos and cheers for Trump. The sneakers, priced at $399, are shiny gold high tops with an American flag detail on the back and are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops.” They are available on a new website that also sells other Trump-branded shoes and “Victory47” cologne and perfume for $99 a bottle.
Despite claims that the website has no connection to Trump’s campaign, Trump campaign officials promoted the appearance in online posts. This unexpected launch came just a day after a judge in New York ordered Trump and his company to pay $355 million in penalties for lying about his wealth. Trump has also been ordered to pay an additional $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 now exceed half a billion dollars.
The reaction to Trump’s appearance at Sneaker Con was divided, with his detractors booing him and his supporters chanting “USA!” Many attendees were given signs reading “SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP.” The atmosphere in the room was filled with emotion, making it difficult to hear Trump speak at times. Some attendees were unaware that Trump would be there and continued to shop as a crowd gathered around the stage. The audience consisted mainly of young and diverse individuals, which Trump’s campaign hopes to win over in a likely rematch against President Joe Biden in November.
This is not the first money-making venture that Trump has announced since launching his third campaign for the White House. He previously made money from digital trading cards featuring cartoon-like images of himself and released books featuring photos from his time in office. The new sneaker website is run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company owned by Trump. While it claims to be non-political, the website describes the sneakers as a limited-edition, numbered “true collector’s item” that is “Bold, gold, and tough, just like President Trump.”
It is unclear whether Trump was paid to attend the event, as his spokesperson did not respond to questions. However, attendees such as Jonathen Santiago and Danea Mitchell, both Trump supporters, were thrilled to see the former president and praised how he interacted with the crowd. They also complimented the design of the sneakers, particularly the red bottoms. When asked about Trump’s legal troubles, Mitchell expressed confidence in his ability to become president again.
Despite the mixed reactions, Trump’s appearance at Sneaker Con drew attention from all sides. Karla Burke, who was in attendance with a group of cheer moms from New Jersey, mentioned that while there were some boos and noise, most people around her were supporters. Burke believes that the recent penalty in Trump’s civil fraud trial was unfair and that there is an agenda to prevent him from becoming the Republican candidate.
Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler criticized Trump’s appearance, stating that “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.” Trump later flew to Michigan, where he held a rally in the suburbs of Detroit and expressed his intention to appeal Friday’s judgment. Both Pennsylvania and Michigan are expected to be critical battleground states in future elections.
Overall, Trump’s unveiling of Trump-branded sneakers at Sneaker Con created a buzz among attendees, with reactions ranging from boos to cheers. The event highlighted the ongoing controversies surrounding Trump’s legal troubles but also showcased his popularity among certain demographics. With the upcoming presidential election in mind, Trump’s campaign hopes to win over more young and minority voters, making appearances like this crucial for his political strategy.
