On February 17th, Judge Engorin ordered Donald Trump to pay roughly $355 million in his New York civil fraud trial for fraudulently inflating the values of his properties to secure loans and make deals as he built his real estate empire that vaulted him to fame and presidency. On January 26th, he was issued $83 million for defaming reporter E. Jean Caroll. Donald Trump, in total, is due to pay $483 million dollars.
Less than 24 hours later, former president Donald Trump entered the sneaker industry with his “Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker.” He is selling two versions of this sneaker: one with a “T” and a “45” on the side, the others painted gold with an American flag on the heel. This announcement comes on the heels of a hefty financial burden. Despite this, Donald Trump confidently steps into this new arena of business, which could serve as a strategic move to keep him in the public eye.
As soon as these shoes hit the market, they went flying off the shelves. By Saturday night, the 1,000 shoes that were in stock were sold out. The sneakers were in such high demand that someone even paid $9,000 for a pair of shoes. Such fervent “Sneakerheads” are very excited about Trump’s move into the industry since it blends politics with fashion.
Many critics, however, say that the fashion arena should remain apolitical, with tensions looming over the 2024 general election. They complain that Donald Trump stepping into the sneaker industry can overshadow the inclusive nature of the fashion world.
Donald Trump said, “This is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think it’s going to be a big success,” alleging that his sneaker project has been in the works for quite some time. However, consumers are skeptical in light of the release’s timing: the unveiling coincides with a period when he is due to pay a significant amount of money, prompting questions about whether Trump is truly interested in diversifying his business portfolio or is merely strategizing how to pay off his financial obligations. The conflicting public reactions leave us to wonder if this fusion of politics and sneakers will be a divisive misstep or a groundbreaking cultural evolution.
