Trump’s Sneakers Deal Has Taken Him To A New Level. Is It Up Or Down?
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
The former president has gone into some uncharted waters. When you look at the former presidents in this country, you must admit that he is a bit different. A popular expression in today’s lexicon is that he is “special”.
His legal troubles have distinguished him from other presidents. His need for constant attention and adulation is ever present. It appears at times the country can’t get enough of his unpredictable antics.
For example, his ongoing complaining to judges in his cases would have landed us in the jailhouse. He mocks them in ways that have certainly tested their patience. Can he stop? I don’t think so because that is who he is.
He is a condescending character who has hoodwinked America and is a threat to our democracy. Mr. Trump is a pied piper of poison and pollution.
Last week, he revealed a new pair of sneakers made just for him. It’s a gold-colored high-top and it looks a bit gaudy to me. The shoe sells for $399.00 and only 1,000 pairs were made available. When announced, the shoes were gobbled up by his supporters.
The former president said that he had been thinking about the idea for several years, so this idea wasn’t hatched overnight. When I saw the sneakers report, I laughed without thinking. It was hilarious. His supporters would say that he is crazy like a fox. There is probably some truth to that statement. He does have a penchant for the bizarre and this is bizarre!
I just can’t wrap my mind around a former United States leader having a sneakers deal. Why not a shirt or tie, or maybe even a cheeseburger named in his honor.
Are the folks who purchased them going to step outside in them? I hope not. Please don’t go to the gym in them either.
Mr. T was at an event called “Sneaker Con” in Philadelphia. The event is billed as The Greatest Sneaker Show On Earth. It was a surprise that he showed up to personally market the shoe. Of course, at his events, there was a mixture of cheers and jeers.
It’s one thing to buy sneakers from a major brand. It is entirely another thing to purchase sneakers from a man who has 91 criminal charges against him.
Bridget Barrett, a University of Colorado professor said, “Plenty of politicians turn their reputations into a money-maker, but typically not at this level of politics. He is more akin to spokespeople and influencers.”
Democrats had a critique on Trump’s sneakers project as well. Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director, Michael Tyler said, “Donald Trump showing up to hawk bootleg off-whites is the closest he’ll get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life.”
Despite his new venture, his old venture continues to haunt him. He has in the opinion of many an electability issue. While he just won the South Carolina primary on Saturday, winning a general election will be a different matter.
Whether it’s sneakers or mugs that he is selling, if he is convicted, his chances of winning will decrease overnight. He will go from hopeful to hopeless. The coming months will be filled with trials and testimonies, all involving the former president.
The sneakers sale is just a distraction. He is trying to divert attention from his problems with the law. He has sold out of his sneakers however he may also be sold out when it comes to the number of people who will testify against him.
The Democrats can’t take a snooze on Donald Trump. If so, they will find themselves on the losing end of this year’s election. Regardless of what Mr. T does, we must get out to vote in November. Then, those gold-colored high-top sneakers won’t mean a thing.
