Do I really have to explain what’s unethical about this?
I hope not.
It’s something special, all right. Talk about shattering “norms.” Also good taste, the respect for the office, the line between celebrity and public service, and… well, you fill in the rest.
I’ll be in my bathroom, throwing up.
Ethics Alarms 
So affordable too, only $499.00.
Damn, there are many options – mugshot collection – $1,274.00.
The Black & Gold Tourbillon – $100,000.00 WOW!
See, OB isn’t the only one that replies to himself!!!
Trump mugshot mugs!!!! Brilliant! I’d buy one for sure.
And, if you act now, you can get personalized copies of “The Art of the Deal” for only $50!
I really do not know what is worse licensing your name and shilling for another firm to make a buck or using inside information for trading stocks. I suppose out of sight and out of mind is better or at least not as brazen.
Yeah, but Trump’s gotta Trump.
jvb
BTW, $499 is not outlandish. With his signature, an etched image, water resistant to 660 feet, a collectible …. really not a terrible price. Lots of men in my life – I’ve priced watches.
And from an ethics standpoint, I’m wondering, how this is different from book promotions?
Name a President who personally hyped his own book while in office. Or any book. Today it’s watches, tomorrow it’s condoms with the Presidential seal.
The condom idea — well, kudos for creative thinking, but they are kind of small for the presidential seal, I think. Adult diapers would show off the seal a bit better, don’t you think?
Thank you – wasn’t certain about that kind of timing.
Hope you have plans for Thanksgiving that will give you comfort.
Choices, choices!
Let’s see, there’s the TRUMP Custom Presidential Watch…. or perhaps Golden Age? On sale at only $679!
And not to worry about ethics! As the fine print says: “These watches are not political and have nothing to do with any political campaign.”
In a way, that’s true — I think one can reasonably argue that this is a purely commercial campaign, in the proud tradition of Trump steaks, Trump Bibles, golden sneakers, guitars (only $10K), fragrance (in case you want to smell like Trump — yikes!)….
I can’t tell if people are being willfully dense or they are inexplicably blind to a serious line being charged over. Trump steaks were not when he was President. Why is this so hard?
Perhaps we are just bemused that you have chosen this particular manifestation as crossing a line that hasn’t already completely disappeared in this administration? Foreign dignitaries staying at Trump properties during Trump 1.0. Tesla car show at the White House?
“From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of cellphones, Trump family businesses have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars since his election, an unprecedented flood of often shadowy money from billionaires, foreign governments and cryptocurrency tycoons with interests before the federal government.”
“Some of Trump’s merchandise — such as his NFTs or watches — also sell for wildly high prices that create an avenue for individuals, including potentially foreign actors, to channel money to Trump, according to Libowitz. Trump Watches is currently offering a “Trump Victory Tourbillon” watch for $100,000.”
However, according to Elon, as long as you are totally transparent about the grift, it’s fine! Blatant is better than covert! (hmm, maybe he’s right about the latter?)
“Musk has previously dismissed any conflict of interest between his government work and businesses, saying in the Oval Office in February that DOGE’s actions are “maximally transparent” so Americans can “see am I doing something that benefits one of my companies or not. It’s totally obvious.” “
Again, Trump Derangement equals the inability to draw ethical lines. The use of Trump properties for state visits is a bi-product of the President of the US being a hotel builder, and there is no precedent for that, while nobody bothered to make an issue of it properly before either election. Trump’s business entities have every right to sell products. The President of the United States, while President, is abusing his position to personally hawk them.
Hmmm….. okay so
“I’ll be in my bathroom, throwing up.” = totally rational response to an (apparently unprecedented?) crossing of an important ethical line.
Slightly raised eyebrow and “what else is new?” comment with supporting details such as Trump and Elon personally hawking Tesla cars at the White House (complete with price list!) = “Derangement”
Apparently there are subtleties in the definition of “derangement” that I have previously overlooked…
The Tesla plugs were not, as far as I can tell, planed or scripted, and there is precedent for Presidents praising products made by such worthies as Henry Ford. Trump Derangement includes being unable to distinguish between genuine misconduct that does actual damage to the office and trivia.
Ah thanks for the clarification.
To me, most of the commercial merchandising initiatives (which is just Trump being Trump right? This was always his schtick–and the Presidential Seal is an excellent Brand!)
seem like trivia in the larger scheme of things.
Will ads for Trump watches do detectable damage to the office of the presidency? I guess time will tell if this stands out when the history of the Trump era is written.
Well, you don’t get it, and that’s fine, most people don’t.
Yes, the cheapening, coarsening and devaluing of the Presidency permamnetly damages our democracy as it was designed to function. You can disagree with this President’s policies—I mostly don’t—but policies are fluid, and can and will be changed by future leadership. Damaging the image of the Presidency itself, in contrast, has lasting and foundational effects, just as the Congressional breaches of institutional respect for POTUS under the Democrats has lasting and foundational effects that weaken our culture and nation.
Apparently, the watches were first issued during the Trump interregnum, but possibly during the 2020 campaign.
Probably less dignified than a former president appearing in a cowboy movie though. Even less if he is still harking the current incombent.
What former President are you referring to? Not Reagan! He turned down acting offers after he retired as undignified for an ex-POTUS.
I can’t tell if Trump is making any money from watch sales, or just allowing his name, etc. to be used in making “commemorative” tribute items under a licensing agreement (still not cool). For all we know, the video could be AI.
The watch sellers’ website disclaimer: “Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals. TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC uses the “Trump” name, image and likeness under a paid license agreement which may be terminated or revoked according to its terms. Trump Watches are intended as collectible items for individual enjoyment only, not for investment purposes.”
Some online kerfuffle on TwitteX from leftists thinking Trump is personally selling these “tribute” firearms:
https://www.bondarms.com/Bond-Arms-Goes-Big-with-Trump-Derringer-Lever-AR-and-More.aspx
There’s no mention on Bond Arms website of any direct cooperation or licensing with Trump on these. (And God help anybody who fires one of those pistols chambered in .45-70…Ouch!)
This ad is over a year old. I found this USA Today article reporting on the trump watches from last September: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/27/donald-trump-watches/75410781007/
That’s a significant detail as far as it being inappropriate or not with the marketing deal occurring while he was out of office. I partially retract my “not cool” comment above.
Irrelevant. Trump wasn’t President a year ago, and this ad is the President hawking watches.
But does the fact that he wasn’t president when he made this ad at least reduce the ick factor? The Indepedent posted this video just a month ago, and it looks like they want us to believe that he’s launched or otherwise approved this merch this year, while currently in office.
NO! It’s abuse of power and position for the thing to run while he’s in office. And Fox News should have refused to run it. Ugh. I’m going to throw up again…