Former President Donald Trump has received mixed financial news in recent days. After a New York judge ruled that he was on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in fines as part of a civil fraud case, the 2024 GOP presidential primary front-runner scored a big win with the rollout of a new line of shoes.
Trump was on hand at Sneaker Con, a leading industry conference held over the weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to announce the “Never Surrender” gold high-top sneakers.
The limited-edition product, which sold for $399 per pair, quickly sold out online and at least 10 random buyers received shoes personally signed by the former president.
“I just want to tell you, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” Trump told attendees. “I have some incredible people that work with me on things and they came up with this. And this is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years. And I think it’s going to be a big success.”
According to the accompanying website, the shoes “are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principles,” but instead utilize a licensing agreement that allows 45Footwear LLC to use the former president’s name and likeness.
Nevertheless, Trump clearly relished his role in promoting the product, as well as two separate lines of low-top sneakers with a price of $199 per pair and “Victory47,” a new fragrance available as a perfume or cologne.
Although SneakerCon attendees provided a mixed reception, Trump referenced the interest that the shoes had received thus far at the conference.
This is the video that the media doesn’t want you to see of the crowd passionately yelling, “WE WANT TRUMP!” at Sneaker Con.
It would be a shame if everyone saw it.
— Steven 🇺🇸 (@SirStevenKJ) February 18, 2024
“A lot of emotion,” he said to the largely supportive crowd. “There’s a lot of emotion in this room. They have lines going all around the block. They’ve never seen anything like this one.”
Trump also used the opportunity to encourage the mostly young adults in attendance to participate in the upcoming election.
“It’s very important,” he said. “What’s the most important thing? To go out and vote, right? You’ve got to get out to vote. We’ve got to get young people out to vote. And you’re going to vote and we’re going to turn this thing around. This country’s not doing so well. We’re going to turn this country around fast.”
