From Mansions to Holy Scriptures: The Unlikely Side Hustles of Donald Trump

(AFP, Washington, 23rd) Former US President Trump, who started his father’s real estate empire and turned the family’s wealth into billions of dollars, not only selling real estate, but also showing his true qualities as a businessman, from Bibles to “Murder commemorative shoes” to prints… Commemorative coins with a personal image on them sell for everything.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who is running for the White House, has previously launched many fringe products, including co-branded steaks, “Trump University” courses, and his platform parent company well-known social “Real Community” (Truth Social). stock, etc.

However, Trump’s path to sales has not been smooth sailing. In recent months, the stock price of “Trump Media & Technology Group”, the parent company of “Real Communities”, has plummeted; production of Trump’s steak joint ended two months after launch; by students Bullied and taken to court.

However, Trump has not let these obstacles stop him, he is currently selling a series of products that focus on his image, some of which are quite “weird”.

Agence France-Presse listed 4 fringe products sold by Trump.

● “Pray Americans Again” Bible

Although Trump is rarely seen attending church, he claims the Bible is his “favorite book.” Around Easter in late March this year, Trump began selling Bibles online, charging $59.99 (about NT$1,922) each.

“We must make America Pray Again,” Trump said in a video promoting the Bible. This echoes his previous political slogan “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).

Trump is convinced that he is attractive to America’s evangelical voters. In the United States, the religious right is a core group that forms the basis of the Republican Party.

● “Battle” murder memorial shoes

Trump’s biggest supporters can also buy a pair of US$299 (about NT$9,540) sneakers to commemorate the assassination attempt he suffered during a rally in Pennsylvania in July.

The top of this pair of high-top white sneakers is printed with the American flag, and below is the classic image of Trump with blood flowing from his right ear and his fist raised after being grazed by a bullet .

On the top edge of the sole the word “fight” is written three times in blue capitals. This was the slogan Trump shouted as US Secret Service agents escorted him off the stage.

● Pieces of suits worn in TV debates

This summer, the suit Trump wore to his first televised debate with President Joe Biden in June was dismantled and sold in pieces. The debate was a disaster for Biden, who announced his withdrawal from the race the following month and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House.

The sales website claims that as long as the buyer spends US$1,485 (about NT$47,599), he can have a piece of suit fabric stuck onto the card, thereby owning “a significant piece of presidential history .”

Trump also boasted in the promotional video, “This can be left to your family, your children, and even your grandchildren.”

● Commemorative coin with Trump’s “handsome face” printed on it

Trump announced last weekend that he would launch a commemorative coin bearing his portrait, which is expected to go on sale on September 25.

He posted on social media that the commemorative coin, which costs US$100 (about NT$3,200) each, is “a true symbol of American greatness.”

The front of the coin is engraved with a portrait of the 45th President of the United States, and the reverse is a picture of the White House with the words “In God We Trust” printed at the top, which is the one motto printed on the US dollar bill.

Trump quipped: “I’ve seen a lot of coins with my pretty face like my face … but those are not legal tender.”