Former US President Donald Trump has ventured into the world of fashion by launching his own sneaker brand, just a day after a New York judge ruled that he and his associates must pay $354.9 million in penalties for financial fraud. The announcement took place at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, known as the "The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth," where Trump faced a mixed reception of both boos and cheers from a younger and more diverse audience than his typical rally crowds.
The gold high-top sneakers, named Never Surrender High-Tops, feature a shiny finish with an American flag detail on the back and are available for purchase at $399 on a newly launched website. The site also offers Trump-branded Victory47 cologne and perfume at $99 a bottle, referencing Trump as the 47th president if re-elected. Despite claims of no connection to Trump's campaign, online posts from Trump campaign officials promoted the sneaker launch.
Addressing the recent court ruling and the financial setback of over $500 million, Trump criticized Justice Arthur Engoron, who issued the penalty, portraying it as an "election interference ploy." Trump accused the judge of being part of a "left-wing conspiracy" to prevent him from returning to the presidency, making unsubstantiated claims about the motivations behind the decision.
In response to the legal troubles, the website stated that it has no affiliation with Trump's campaign, despite online promotion by campaign officials. Meanwhile, Justice Engoron's ruling also included a three-year ban on Trump serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation, citing a lack of contrition and remorse.
This development adds to Trump's mounting legal challenges, as he faces multiple state and federal criminal trials, including one scheduled for March 25 in New York over alleged hush money payments to a porn star. If prosecuted, Trump would become the first former US president to stand trial on criminal charges.
In the political arena, Trump's rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, seized the opportunity to criticize him following the court ruling. Haley questioned Trump's ability to effectively lead due to ongoing legal issues, emphasizing his frequent court appearances in the coming months.
As Trump inches closer to securing the Republican nomination, the possibility of a general election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden looms. Meanwhile, Haley, facing challenges in her bid for the nomination, continues to make her stand in South Carolina, where she trails significantly in opinion polls.
At her recent rally, Haley also criticized Trump for not commenting on the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a point she raised again during Trump's Michigan rally. Navalny's death has led to tensions between Western leaders, including Biden, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with accusations of Putin's involvement without citing evidence. Haley accused Trump of cozying up to Putin and cited a recent speech where Trump suggested allowing Russia to act freely against NATO members who don't meet defense spending requirements.