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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — As he closes in on winning the Republican presidential nomination, former President Donald Trump made a highly unusual stop Saturday to show off new Trump-branded items at SneakerCon, a gathering he calls “the best sneaker show.” I sold sneakers. on earth. “
There were loud boos and cheers at the Philadelphia Convention Center as Mr. Trump introduced what he called the first official Trump shoe.
The shoe, a shiny gold high-top with an American flag detail on the back, is sold as the “Never Surrender High-top” on the new website for $399 and is available alongside other Trump-branded shoes and Victory47 colognes and perfumes are also on sale for $99. Bottle. If re-elected, he will become the 47th president.
Trump campaign officials promoted the appearance in online posts, although the website says it is not affiliated with the Trump campaign.
The unannounced announcement comes after a New York judge found that the former president had lied about his wealth for years, inflated it and defrauded banks, insurance companies and others. The decision came a day after he was ordered to pay a hefty $55 million fine. About financial statements.
The fine comes after President Trump was ordered to pay an additional $83.3 million to author E. Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation by accusing her of sexual assault. Including interest payments, President Trump’s legal debt could exceed $500 million, but it is unclear whether he will be able to pay this amount.
Trump’s appearance was met with loud boos from his critics and chants of “America!” Hear from a supporter who arrived at a sneaker event wearing President Trump costume. Dueling chants sometimes made it difficult to hear President Trump’s speech.
One person handed out a sign that read, “Sneakerheads love Trump.”
“There’s a lot of emotion in this room,” Trump said of the reaction after holding up and showing off his golden shoes, placing one pair on each side of the podium.
“This is something I’ve been talking about for 12, 13 years. And I think it’s going to be a huge success,” he said.
As he spoke, the smell of weed occasionally wafted through the room.
Some attendees said they didn’t know President Trump was there and continued shopping as a crowd gathered around the stage. Many in the audience said they were not from the city but from neighboring states or Washington, D.C.
The attendees were younger and more diverse than Trump’s usual rally attendees. Trump’s campaign hopes to win over more young and minority voters, especially young black men, in his expected rematch with President Joe Biden in November.
This is not the first time Trump has announced a money-making venture since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022. Trump reported last year that he made between $100,000 and $1 million on a series of digital trading cards depicting him through photo editing. You’ll see a series of cartoon-like images, including astronauts, cowboys, and superheroes. He has also published a book containing photos from his time in office and letters written to him over the years.
Before running for office, Trump peddled everything from steak to vodka to a venture he dubbed “Trump University.”
The new sneaker’s website says it is operated by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that President Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure. The website says the new venture is “not political and has no connection to any political movement.”
Still, the sneaker is described as a numbered, limited edition “true collector’s item” that is “bold, golden and tough, just like President Trump.”
“Never Surrender sneakers are your rallying cry in shoe form. Lace up and walk out ready to conquer,” the description reads.
Trump’s press secretary did not respond to questions about the event, including whether Trump was paid to attend.
Also in the crowd were Trump supporters Jonathen Santiago, 21, and Danea Mitchell, 20, who had driven from Monroe County in the northeastern part of the state for the sneaker event. They said they were excited to meet the former president and praised how he interacted with the crowd. We also received warm words regarding our sneakers.
“The red bottom felt really good,” Mitchell said.
When asked about President Trump’s legal problems, she shrugged. “If he’s convicted, I think he’s going to have an interesting four years, but I have no doubt he’ll be president,” she said.
A group of “cheer moms” from New Jersey were also in attendance, saying they were in town for a cheerleading event and decided to stop by for a chance to meet President Trump.
Carla Burke, 48, said she heard some people booing and making noise, but most people around her were supportive. “There was a different atmosphere at the front desk,” she said.
Burke said Friday’s punishment in Trump’s civil fraud trial does not change his support. “I think it was unfair,” she said. “He’s not the Republican candidate because they’re just going after him.”
Biden-Harris 2024 communications director Michael Tyler said: “Donald Trump’s appearance on the bootleg Off-White hawks will bring him closer to Air Force One again in his lifetime.” ”, he criticized the appearance.
Trump flew to Michigan from Philadelphia and held a rally in a Detroit suburb, where he slammed Friday’s ruling and vowed to appeal. Both Pennsylvania and Michigan are expected to be important battleground states.
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Colvin reported from New York.
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