Former President Donald Trump made a notable appearance at a sneaker event in Philadelphia over the weekend, unveiling his new Trump-branded sneakers to a mixed reception of boos and cheers. The shoes, priced at $399, are being sold alongside Trump-branded cologne and perfume on a new website, despite claims of no connection to Trump's campaign.
This venture comes on the heels of recent legal troubles for Trump, including a $355 million penalty for lying about his wealth and an $83.3 million payment to writer E. Jean Carroll for defamation. With interest payments, Trump's legal debts may now exceed half a billion dollars.
Trump's appearance at the sneaker event was met with clashing reactions from supporters and detractors, with chants of "USA!" and signs reading "SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP." The diverse and younger audience skewed away from Trump's usual rally crowds, with some attendees leaving to continue shopping as Trump spoke.
The sneaker website, run by CIC Ventures LLC, emphasizes the limited-edition nature of the shoes, describing them as a "true collector's item" that embodies Trump's bold and tough persona. While Trump's campaign hopes to attract more young and minority voters, critics like Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler slammed the appearance as Trump's attempt to hawk bootleg sneakers.
Trump's campaign did not respond to questions about the event, and he is set to hold a rally in Michigan later in the day. The website stresses that the venture is not political, despite being linked to Trump's financial disclosure.