Economy

‘Don’t wait’: Trump promotes limited-supply $100,000 watches

Former president Donald Trump is promoting $100,000 watches branded after him as he seeks a return to the White House, the latest — and priciest — product he has helped sell in a string of unusual for-profit enterprises for a presidential candidate.

The Trump Victory Tourbillon is “almost entirely made out of 18 Carat Gold and decorated with 122 Diamonds,” according to the website selling it, which also offers cheaper Trump-branded watches starting at $499. Only 147 Tourbillons are being made.

Trump, in a social media post Thursday, said the watches are “truly special” and suggested them as a Christmas gift.

“Don’t wait, they will go fast,” Trump said. “GET YOUR TRUMP WATCH RIGHT NOW!”

The $100,000 watch is the most expensive merchandise that Trump has lent his name to during his 2024 presidential campaign. He has pitched $499 sneakers, $99 digital trading cards — even a Bible that is about $60. Trump sometimes offers to autograph the items, sending the price higher.

Ethics experts say there is no precedent for someone monetizing the presidency — or a presidential campaign — in the way Trump has. One adviser previously told The Post that Trump relishes the opportunity to cash in on his name as he has dealt with mounting personal legal costs since leaving the White House.

The pace of moneymaking ventures has appeared to pick up in recent weeks. Last week, Trump announced he was selling a $100 silver coin with his face on it, days after he debuted a cryptocurrency business, World Liberty Financial, with the help of his sons.

His wife, former first lady Melania Trump, has been promoting an upcoming book that has a $250 “collector’s edition” available for preorder.

Trump has been unabashed in marketing the merchandise, too. He promoted the coin in a video posted to social media. The medallion “more than just a collector’s item — it’s a testament to the resilience and strength of the American people,” he said.

In a promotional video on gettrumpwatches.com, the former president says the $100,000 model is “one of the best watches made” and marvels at its features.

“That’s a lot of diamonds,” Trump says. “I love gold. I love diamonds. We all do.”

The watches are only available for preorder on the website, which cautions that the images displayed “are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product.”

A website section for frequently asked questions says none of the proceeds go to Trump’s campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign has been raising more money than Trump’s campaign, including by a margin of more than 4 to 1 in August.

“Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals,” the website says. “TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC uses the ‘Trump’ name, image and likeness under a license agreement which may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”

The LLC is registered in Wyoming under the name of attorney Andrew Pierce, who also filed the paperwork for the LLC that sells the Trump sneakers.

Asked for details of the license agreement, Trump’s campaign directed questions to the Trump Organization, which did not respond to a request for comment.

The Harris campaign has argued that the Trump-branded products underscore how self-interested he is as he runs for president again — a point Harris’s team reiterated Thursday.

“[Forty] days out from election day. Donald Trump is selling $100,000 watches,” Harris campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa said on X. “Not a joke. Trump is more focused on himself than anyone else.”

For other Trump critics, the watch sales evoked an earlier chapter of his political life, when Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) attacked Trump during a 2016 presidential primary debate.

“Here’s the guy that inherited $200 million,” Rubio said. “If he hadn’t inherited $200 million, you know where Donald Trump would be right now? Selling watches in Manhattan.”

This post appeared first on washingtonpost.com

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