Overview
- On Tuesday, Anderson Cooper visibly laughed on CNN as he read a list of Trump‑branded items including gold and silver commemorative coins, $99.99 Bibles, “Never Surrender” sneakers, and the gold‑plated Trump Mobile T1.
- The Trump Organization listed UFC‑themed coins tied to the June 14 White House UFC event with prices up to $11,999.99 and product pages saying they were “designed by President Trump himself.”
- The Trump Mobile T1 began shipping in May after long delays, but its marketing was quietly revised from “Made in the USA” to language about being “designed with American values in mind,” and reviewers said the device closely resembles an existing phone and showed design errors such as an 11‑stripe flag.
- Reporters and commentators framed the new sales as part of a broader pattern of monetizing the presidency, citing prior reporting that family‑linked ventures, including cryptocurrency projects, generated large profits for affiliates.
- The coverage has prompted renewed questions from journalists and watchdogs about who benefits from merchandise tied to presidential events and whether official venues and timing are being used for private sales.