Many Republican politicians and right-wing figures have turned to profiteering by hawking everything from Bibles to scrappy fabric to NFTs. This phenomenon has become a multimillion-dollar industry. Donald Trump, in particular, has made millions from his various products, including gold sneakers, Bibles, and perfumes.
Trump’s gold sneakers, launched in February, earned him almost $400,000, and he has made $300,000 from selling poorly reviewed Bibles. He also sells a range of products, including watches, guitars, boots, and such knick-knacks as doormats and water bottles.
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s confidant, launched a coffee brand to try to claw out of debt related to his false claims of election fraud. Kazembe Alexander he co-developed, and there are others who claim that buying from people like him supports right-wing causes.
Tucker Carlson launched nicotine products that supposedly promote a “better time” and a “better world,” while Mike Huckabee created a Trump-themed book for children. Dr. Oz, a TV doctor who has been nominated to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, has promoted herbal supplements, and Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI nominee, has a clothing line called Based Apparel.
This phenomenon of right-wing figures profiteering from their fame is not new and dates back to the 1950s and 60s, when anti-communist grifters emerged. Joe Conason notes that this kind of behavior is bigger on the right than on the left, where politicians are less likely to engage in such activities.
With Trump set to serve four years as president, the trend of cashing in on political fame is likely to continue, but it may be halted if Trump’s policies lead to widespread poverty and people can no longer afford to buy the products.
