Former President Donald Trump Sells God Bless America Bibles on Truth Social.
Source: Truth Social
Sports. Perfume. Trading cards. Bibles.
These are just a few of the products Donald Trump has touted as he races to unseat President Joe Biden.
They join an extensive list of Trump-branded merchandise, ranging from steaks to scented candles, that the businessman-turned-president has licensed over the years.
But as his campaign funds dwindle and his fortunes threaten, Trump — who never quite was cut off His political career from his financial one – he now actively combines his business ventures with his bid for the White House.
“There is no precedent for this level” of business activity during a presidential campaign, Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessing told CNBC, though “the trend has been building for many years.”
Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director of the money-policy watchdog Documented, agreed.
“I can’t think of any other modern example of a presidential candidate purchasing a range of goods for private gain,” Fisher said.
For an average candidate, that activity might trigger a campaign finance investigation — but it probably won’t for Trump, who sold name-brand products long before he entered politics, according to Fisher.
“Trump is a unique case,” he said.
That uniqueness was on full display Tuesday as Trump unveiled his latest offering: a $60 Bible that includes copies of the nation’s founding documents, along with lyrics from country star Lee Greenwood’s hit song, “God Bless the USA.” .
The song by Greenwood, who is working with Trump to support the expensive holy book, is a regular staple at the presumptive Republican nominee’s campaign rallies.
Trump made the campaign connection even clearer in a video announcing the promotion, warning that Americans’ rights are under threat and declaring that “we’re going to turn this around.” He also invoked his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” several times.
It’s unclear how much money Trump is making from the Bible — he receives royalties from its sales, a person familiar with the deal said The New York Times — but whatever he gets will essentially go into his pocket.
The website for the Bibles says it has no link to the Trump campaign. Instead, it uses Trump’s name, likeness and image under a paid license from a company called CIC Ventures LLC.
Trump’s finances for 2023 Revelation it calls him the “Director, President, Secretary and Treasurer” of CIC Ventures and lists his revocable trust as the sole owner of the company. Trump has made more than $5 million in speaking engagements through the company, the disclosure shows. Florida business records show CIC’s address is the same as Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Lessig noted that Trump’s business dealings do not appear to violate campaign ethics or finance rules.
“I don’t think there’s any ethical problem with that – as long as the proper reporting requirements are met,” the professor said.
“There may well be a strategy or branding problem with it, but that’s the same with any political speech,” he added.
A spokesman for Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
Trump’s biblical endorsement came during Holy Week, ahead of Easter and a holy season for Christians. It also came less than six weeks after Trump traveled to the a contract for sports shoes in Philadelphia to launch his own line of tennis shoes.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump makes remarks while introducing a new shoe line at Sneaker Con at the Philadelphia Convention Center on February 17, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
The aptly titled Trump sneakers range in price from $199 to $399 for pre-order. Two of the available styles are emblazoned with the number 45, a reference to Trump’s tenure as the 45th president of the United States.
This website that sells the sneakers also advertises Trump’s “Victory47” cologne and perfume, which cost $99.
“‘Victory’ is the signature scent of power and success, encased in a luxurious golden bottle,” reads the cologne’s description from the website.
Trump’s appearance at the convention further blurred the line between campaigning and corporate capitalism.
“We’re going to turn this country around fast. We’re going to turn it around. And we’re going to remember the young people and we’re going to remember Sneaker Con,” he told the crowd, which cheered. him with a mixture of cheers and disapproval.
The sneaker site says “Trump” and its associated design are trademarks of CIC Ventures and notes that Trump has licensed his name and likeness to a company called 45Footwear LLC. This company is According to reports registered in Wyoming, one of the cheapest places in the country to start a business.
The shoes are not designed, manufactured or distributed by Trump or the Trump Organization, according to the website.
As the Biden campaign extends its lead in fundraising for Trump’s political venture, the GOP nominee said that “could“He put his own money into the race. He didn’t in 2020.
Trump also has a few days to post a $175 million appeal bond to stop New York state from collecting a $454 million civil fraud judgment against him. He has already posted a $91.6 million bond as he appeals a separate civil case in which he was found liable for defamation of author E. Jean Carroll.
Trump also faces 91 criminal charges in four different courts, with his first trial set for April 15. Trump has spent more than $100 million on his legal fees since leaving office in 2021, though none of it came out of his own pocket, according to The New York Times.