Donald Trump took center stage at the renowned “Sneaker Con,” dubbed “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth,” where he unveiled the first-ever Trump-branded footwear, mere hours after a significant legal setback involving a $355 million court case loss. The event, held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, saw the former president promoting shiny golden high-top sneakers adorned with an American flag motif at the heel, priced at a steep $399 and named “Never Surrender High-Tops.”
The unveiling elicited a polarized response from the audience, with a mix of jeers and applause permeating the convention center. In addition to the footwear, Trump has ventured into the fragrance market with the launch of “Victory47” cologne and perfume, retailing at $99 per bottle, a nod to his aspirations of reclaiming the presidency and becoming the 47th president of the United States.
Despite assertions from the newly launched website that it bears no ties to Trump’s political campaign, evidence surfaced of campaign officials endorsing the site on social media platforms, reported by The New York Times.
The backdrop to this product launch was a recent ruling by a New York judge, imposing a hefty $355 million penalty on Trump for years of misrepresenting his wealth to financial institutions and others by inflating the value of his assets. This financial blow was compounded by an earlier court directive that mandated Trump to pay $83.3 million to author E. Jean Carroll for defamation, following her accusations of sexual assault against him. With accruing interest, Trump’s legal financial obligations are poised to exceed half a billion dollars, casting doubts on his ability to settle these debts.
At “Sneaker Con,” Trump’s appearance was met with a spirited reaction from the attendees, with a visible divide between detractors and supporters, the latter group brandishing “SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP” banners and donning Trump-themed merchandise. Trump, acknowledging the charged atmosphere, showcased the golden sneakers, sharing that the idea had been in gestation for over a decade. The event also had moments of levity, with the scent of marijuana occasionally drifting through the crowd.
The presence of Trump at the sneaker convention caught some attendees off guard, leading to a diverse reaction. Some continued their perusal of the aisles, while others congregated near the stage, drawn from not just the local vicinity but also neighboring states and as far as Washington.
The audience’s demographic profile was notably younger and more diverse than the typical Trump rally crowd, reflecting perhaps an attempt by Trump and his advisors to broaden their appeal among young and minority voters, especially African-American males, in anticipation of a potential electoral rematch against President Biden.
Trump’s venture into commercial endeavors since leaving office in 2022 includes profiting from digital trading cards that portray him in various heroic and fantastical roles. His involvement in the sneaker project is linked to CIC Ventures LLC, a company he reported as part of his financial disclosures, which also has connections to the digital trading cards he previously promoted.
The website for Trump’s sneakers emphasizes that the initiative is non-political and unrelated to any campaign efforts. However, details regarding Trump’s compensation for his Sneaker Con appearance or his exact role in the event remained undisclosed by his representatives.
Described as a limited edition and a “true collector’s item,” the sneakers are touted as embodying Trump’s bold and resilient persona, offering wearers a symbol of defiance and readiness to face challenges.
Among the attendees were diverse groups, including young Trump supporters Jonathan Santiago and Danea Mitchell, who expressed their enthusiasm for both the former president and the new sneaker line. Also present were “cheer moms” from New Jersey, who seized the opportunity to witness Trump in person while in town for a different event, highlighting the wide-ranging interest his appearance generated.
