Former US President Donald Trump on Saturday, February 17, launched a sneaker line, a day after he and his companies were ordered by a judge to pay nearly $355 million in his New York civil fraud trial.
The former president unveiled “Trump Sneakers” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia.
He placed a pair of gold sneakers, which a new website has listed for $399 and named the “NEVER SURRENDER HIGH-TOP SNEAKER,” on the podium as he spoke.
“This is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think it’s going to be a big success,” said Trump, who is marching closer toward the 2024 Republican nomination and a potential rematch with President Joe Biden.
By Saturday night, the $399 sneakers were listed as sold out on the website. There had been 1,000 pairs of the sneakers available for purchase, according to the site.
The former president is also selling two versions of sneakers that have “T” and “45” on the sides for $199, according to the website. Cologne and perfume are for sale at $99 each.
According to the website, the products are “trademarks of CIC Ventures LLC. Trump Sneakers are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals. 45Footwear, LLC uses the Trump name, image and likeness under a license agreement.”
Following his appearance at Sneaker Con, Trump is expected to head to Michigan to address supporters for the first time since the rulings in separate New York cases thrust into the spotlight the legal peril he faces on multiple fronts.
On Thursday, a New York state judge confirmed that Trump’s criminal trial in a hush money case will begin March 25. A day later, Trump and his companies were ordered to pay nearly $355 million for fraudulently inflating the values of his properties.
When combined with the $83 million judgment issued against Trump for defaming E. Jean Carroll, the 2024 Republican front-runner has been fined roughly $438 million over the past four weeks.
‘No victims, no damages’ – Trump slams ‘total sham’ $355M fraud ruling, says decision will make businesses leave New York
Former US President Donald Trump slammed the $355 million fine he was ordered to pay in his fraud case and warned that businesses will flee New York state as a result of the decision.
On the campaign trail Saturday night in Waterford Township, Michigan, Trump railed against “lunatic” Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling a day earlier after he was found guilty of inflating his net worth by billions to secure favorable bank loans.
“The case is a complete and total sham.It’s a sham case,” Trump told the crowd at the rally.
“There were no victims, no damages, no defaults, no complaints, no nothing. There was nothing,” he said.
The front-running Republican presidential candidate repeated his claims that the lawsuit brought against Trump, his company and his sons by New York Attorney General Letitia James was an attempt by Democrats to stop him from being president
“This is merely an election interference ploy by a crazed attorney general … working closely with a very bad judge,” Trump said.
“Judge Engoran just fined me $355 million for doing everything right,”
On Friday, Engoron found Trump liable for inflating his net worth by billions of dollars a year to get better loan and insurance terms in a case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who campaigned on a promise to bring down his business empire.
The judge’s decision also banned the former president from doing business in the state where he built his brand.
Trump said he intends to appeal the decision — which also bars him from running the Trump Organization or serving as a director or officer of any other company in New York for three years.
“If justice is anything in New York State then we’ll win,” he declared.
He predicted an exodus of businesses from New York, scared off by the legal system.
“As a result of this decision, businesses are going to leave New York state, taking thousands of jobs with them because they can’t subject themselves to this,” Trump said.
“And if this persecution of political opponents continues nobody will want to do business in the United States of America any longer,” he added.
He called on Congress to impeach Joe Biden to stop what calls the “weaponization” of the Department of Justice.
