Hail to the huckster-in chief: Donald Trump scents profits. (Photo: gettrumpfragrances.com)
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump learned a long time ago that photo opportunities could get him attention and that slapping his name on everything from skyscrapers to steaks could make him money.
As a second-time presidential candidate and now the president-elect, he is marrying the two concepts faster than ever, tying the high-profile visuals of his political life to perfumes, watches, sneakers and digital trading cards.
Everything around Trump has become something to monetise, including a moment of comity with Jill Biden, the US first lady, at the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris over the weekend.
“Here are my new Trump Perfumes & Colognes!” Trump wrote on social media Sunday, along with a picture of his interaction with the faintly smiling first lady. “I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING. Great Christmas gifts for the family.”
Under the photo was another caption, an apparent dig at Biden: “A FRAGRANCE YOUR ENEMIES CAN’T RESIST!”
Trump, in essence, used a civil moment with the first lady, a frequent critic, to sell fragrances that are “curated to capture the essence of success and determination”, according to the perfume website.
Before Trump was first inaugurated, his sons moved to take over the family business, to at least create the perception of separation between a moneymaking enterprise and the highest office in the land. (Trump still maintained more 50 licensing deals in his name, according to an analysis by The Washington Post.)
This time, there is no such presumption of distance, only the churn of a conveyor belt spitting out one Trump product after another. On Monday, officials working for Trump did not immediately reply to a question about whether Trump would continue promoting products after being sworn in.
With weeks until he takes office, Trump is capitalising on the attention of his election victory, hawking fragrances and footwear to supporters who are in the mood to celebrate. There have been $299 “Trump Crypto President” sneakers on offer, along with $119 “Victory” cologne and $299 “First Lady” shoes.
There is little information available about what materials the products are made from or where
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