John,
We’ve reached out to you before about the *many* ways that Donald Trump has profited off the presidency, but here’s one you haven’t heard much about: the Trump Store.
The launch of the Trump Store back in 2017 raised ethics alarm bells, and for good reason.
But things have gotten even worse: Between Election Day 2024 and Inauguration Day, the Trump Store launched at least 168 new products online costing $13,803.92. That marks 168 more items sold by a president-elect’s company for personal profit during the presidential transition period than any former president-elect.
Even in the lead up to Trump’s first term, he did not monetize the transition period with merchandise in the same way.
This is an unprecedented way for supporters to funnel money to an incoming president — and it’s working, John.
Donald Trump is profiting off the presidency, and that’s a serious threat to our democracy. CREW is working to investigate Trump’s finances, expose wrongdoing and fight for accountability, and we’re asking for your support. Please, donate to help us hold Donald Trump accountable →
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The Trump Store is not run out of the Trump campaign, but by the Trump Organization itself, the for-profit Trump empire that directly feeds into the Trump family’s pockets. And it’s not subtle about what it’s selling: anything and everything President Trump — from red “Make America Great Again” hats to the new 45-47 Collection and Inauguration Collection.
On Inauguration Day, the store listed 1,725 different products on the site — some of which include a $200 MAGA Victory Blanket, $30 Inauguration Seal Mug, $550 45-47 Bling Clutch, and $120 45-47 Rocks Glass Set.
It would cost a supporter $36,273.87 to buy one of each item that was in stock on Inauguration Day.
It’s not normal for a president to profit off of the presidency, but Trump has done so blatantly before and even more unabashedly this time. Renewed attention towards his crypto and stock conflicts may make his profiting from the Trump Store look like a drop in the bucket — but the store is quietly making Trump millions, with over $3 million in sales in 2023, a huge leap from its first full year in operation in 2018, when its yearly sales were $520,305.
While visits to Trump properties helped Trump accumulate over 3,700 conflicts of interest in his first term — buying from Trump online — whether it's stock in Trump Media and Technology Group, a token on World Liberty Financial or a MAGA hat purchased from the Trump Store — provides a seemingly infinite supply and buyers shielded from public view, all facilitated by the click of a few buttons.
John, Donald Trump has shown us he is ready and willing to profit off his second presidential term, and it’s up to us to fight back.
By donating to CREW today, you’re supporting our investigative work to expose Trump’s corruption, and to hold him accountable. Please, pitch in what you can now →
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your tax deductible donation will go through immediately to ActBlue Charities Inc. and be disbursed to CREW within 30 days:
Thank you,
CREW HQ
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