As Donald Trump seeks to unseat President Joe Biden, he is actively intertwining his business ventures with his White House bid, promoting a wide array of Trump-branded merchandise ranging from sneakers and perfume to Bibles and trading cards. While this level of business activity during a presidential campaign is unprecedented, Trump’s history of selling branded goods long before entering politics means that it is unlikely to trigger a campaign finance investigation. This unique situation allows Trump to promote products such as a $60 Bible featuring the nation’s founding documents alongside country star Lee Greenwood’s hit song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” which he is receiving royalties from sales of.
The promotion of the Bible and other products bearing Trump’s name is facilitated by a company called CIC Ventures LLC, of which Trump is the Manager, President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Through this company, Trump has made millions of dollars from speaking engagements and has now expanded into branded merchandise like sneakers and cologne. While the ethical and financial implications of these business moves are not clear, Trump’s recent appearances at a sneaker convention to launch his own line of tennis shoes further blur the line between campaign outreach and capitalist enterprise.
With the Biden campaign pulling ahead in fundraising and Trump facing legal battles that require large financial commitments, such as posting a $175 million bond to avoid payment of a civil fraud judgment in New York, Trump has hinted that he may contribute his own money to his reelection campaign. However, he has yet to do so. In addition to the financial challenges, Trump is also facing 91 criminal charges in four separate courts, with his first trial scheduled for April 15. Despite spending more than $100 million on legal fees since leaving office, Trump has not used his own money to cover these costs.
Despite the potential ethical and brand concerns raised by integrating business activities with a presidential campaign, experts suggest that as long as proper reporting requirements are met, there may not be any legal violations. Trump’s unique position as a businessman-turned-president allows him to navigate these challenges in a way that a traditional political candidate likely could not. As Trump continues to promote his branded merchandise alongside his political messaging, the line between his business interests and his White House bid becomes increasingly blurred.
