Soulless Shoes

[Joe Guy]

Made in China?

Trump hawks $399 branded shoes at 'Sneaker Con,' a day after a $355 million ruling against him


PHILADELPHIA -- As he closes in on the Republican presidential nomination, former President Donald Trump made a highly unusual stop Saturday, hawking new Trump-branded sneakers at “Sneaker Con,” a gathering that bills itself as the “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth.”

Trump was met with loud boos as well as cheers at the Philadelphia Convention Center as he introduced what he called the first official Trump footwear.

The shoes, gold lame high tops with an American flag detail on the back, are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops” for $399 on a new website that also sells Trump-branded “Victory47” cologne and perfume for $99 a bottle. He'd be the 47th president if elected again.

The website says it has no connection to Trump's campaign, though Trump campaign officials promoted the appearance in online posts.

On Friday, a judge in New York ordered Trump to pay a whopping $355 million in penalties, finding that the former president lied about his wealth for years, scheming to dupe banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements.

That penalty came after Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million to the writer E. Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation after she accused him of sexual assault. With interest payments, Trump’s legal debts might now exceed a half-billion dollars — an amount it is unclear he can afford to pay.

Trump's appearance was met with clashing boos from his detractors and chants of “USA!” from supporters who arrived at the sneaker event decked out in Trump gear. The dueling chants made it difficult, at times, to hear Trump speak. Some held signs that read “SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP.”

“There’s a lot of emotion in this room," Trump said of the reaction, after holding up and showing off a pair of gold shoes, then placing one on each side of his podium.

“This is something that I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years," he said.

As he spoke, the smell of weed occasionally wafted through the room.

Some of those who attended said they were unaware Trump would be there, and continued to shop as a crowd gathered around the stage. Many in the audience said they were not from the city and instead hailed from nearby states and Washington.

The attendees skewed younger and more diverse than Trump's usual rally crowds. Trump’s campaign is hoping he will be able to win over more young and minority voters, particularly young Black men, in a likely rematch against President Joe Biden in November.

This isn’t the first money-making venture Trump has announced since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022. Trump last year reported making between $100,000 and $1 million for a series of digital trading cards that portrayed him, through photo editing, in a series of cartoon-like images, including an astronaut, a cowboy and a superhero.

Trump's new sneaker website says it is run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure. A similarly named company, CIC Digital LLC, owns his digital trading card NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.

The website states the new venture “is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign."

A Trump spokesman did not respond to questions about the event, including whether Trump was paid to attend.

The website describes the shoes as a limited-edition, numbered “true collector’s item” that is “Bold, gold, and tough, just like President Trump.”

“The Never Surrender sneakers are your rally cry in shoe form," the description reads. “Lace-up and step out ready to conquer,.”

Among those in the crowd were Jonathen Santiago, 21, and Danea Mitchell, 20, Trump supporters who drove from Monroe County in the northeastern part of the state for the sneaker event. They said they were excited to see the former president and praised how he interacted with the crowd. They also had kind words for the sneakers.

“The red bottoms were a really nice touch,” Mitchell said.

She shrugged when asked about Trump's legal troubles. “I think it’ll be an interesting four years if he’s found guilty, but I have no doubt he’ll be president,” she said.

Also in attendance was a group of “cheer moms” from New Jersey who said they were in town for a cheerleading event and decided to stop by for a chance to see Trump.

Karla Burke, 48, said she heard some people booing and making noise, but that most people around her had been supporters. “At the front was a different vibe,” she said.

As for Friday’s penalty in Trump’s civil fraud trial, Burke said it doesn’t change her support. “I think it was unfair,” she said. “They’re just going after him so he’s not the Republican candidate.”

Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler slammed the appearance, saying: “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 planned a rally later Saturday in Michigan in the suburbs of Detroit.

[BoSoxGal]

I bought a couple of new pairs of sneakers recently - different brand though.

I’m on a big fitness kick, getting my body back in shape after years of forced sedentary lifestyle due to neurological issues now mostly resolved.

I need to be trim and strong to make my escape a year from now, if necessary. I’m thinking I’d rather be volunteering with an NGO in Ukraine or Gaza than watching what Trump 2.0 will do to this country.

[Bicycle Bill]

Considering these are Trump-branded shoes, calling them 'sneakers' instead of 'athletic shoes' is on point.
And of course, there is the delightful irony in the concept of a cheater selling a sneaker.

-"BB"-

[Big RR]

Even without the big T, they are some of the ugliest shoes I have ever seen.

[Econoline]

If you get it, you get it....

[Bicycle Bill]

I'm still trying to decide if the big 'T' on them stands for 'Trump', 'Trash', or 'Traitor'.   Also wonder if there's a model with velcro straps for those older or pot-bellied MAGA mush-heads who can't bend down far enough to tie a pair of regular laces, or have forgotten (or never learned) how to tie their shoes.  

And I'll just toss this little excerpt from US Code 4, § 8i and 8j into the discussion —

(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.  It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.  Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.  However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.  The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.  Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
...........(emphasis mine)

-"BB"-

[Burning Petard]

All this official patriotism is interesting. The official rules say never display it flat (the way they do at big football games.) The official VFW rules say individuals in military uniform should NEVER say the pledge to the flag. All these rules are ignored by most. I suppose it is because they are not actual crimes since they can be called expressions of political free speech. I also get offended that 'stolen valor' is not a crime. Liberty could wear the Purple Heart if he wanted too. After all he has been wounded morally by the woke lieberals.

And Mark Twain is always good for a quote. This time "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

[liberty]

I bought a couple of new pairs of sneakers recently - different brand though.

I’m on a big fitness kick, getting my body back in shape after years of forced sedentary lifestyle due to neurological issues now mostly resolved.

I need to be trim and strong to make my escape a year from now, if necessary. I’m thinking I’d rather be volunteering with an NGO in Ukraine or Gaza than watching what Trump 2.0 will do to this country.

I don't think you need to worry trump is not going to win the election; even if it's a fair election. However, he could win if he promised every American citizen $10,000 to be paid after he is sworn into office. But Biden could counter with $20,000 and then Trump could counter with even more. I think trump would keep his word after all It would be government money not his. It would destroy America, could you imagine the inflation, but no one cares about the future anyway.

[ex-khobar Andy]

I don't understand why, on my YouTube feed and presumably generated by their algorithm, I get ads for TFG 'Trumpinator Bobblehead' dolls. Tagline "I'll be back in 2024."

It's an AI-generated Trump voice telling us to buy one or five or twenty or even fifty of these things. I can't see a price without clicking on the next page and although I am many things I am not that stupid.

[BoSoxGal]

I had to see it for myself - sold by Proud Patriots, it’s $29.99 for the original and if you want the special limited edition golden calf version you can have it for the low price of $49.99.

[Scooter]

Apparently for $399 you do not get a pair of shoes.

You get a promise of a pair of shoes whose first deliveries are supposed to be in July.

But that is not a guarantee.

So people are paying $399 for a serving of hot air.

[Bicycle Bill]

I had to see it for myself - sold by Proud Patriots, it’s $29.99 for the original and if you want the special limited edition golden calf version you can have it for the low price of $49.99.

Has anyone else noticed that lately when the word 'Patriot' or 'Liberty' appears, especially in a news story or name of a group or product these days (like the Patriot Front,or Patriot Generators, or — as in the case above Proud Patriots), it's usually in reference to some product or philosophy targeted to the right wing whack-o fringe?

-"BB"-

[BoSoxGal]

Yes, in the MAGA era it feels like the flag and patriotism have been co-opted by lunatics. The stench of rising fascism.

[Joe Guy]

Using the flag is part of Trump's MAGA strategy to convince dummies that only people who support him are true patriots. People waving flags and wearing Trump t-shirts and shoes are the type who would be willing storm the Capitol when he loses the election...