Annotated Chronological List of Donald Trump’s Scams, Grifts, Insane Products, and Failed Ventures (2015–Present)
This annotated list captures Donald Trump’s business misadventures, product schemes, and financial controversies from the time he announced his presidential bid in 2015 through his post-presidency years. Each entry highlights the nature of the venture and its impact.
2015
Trump Campaign Fundraising Controversies
- The “Self-Funded” Campaign Myth: Trump repeatedly claimed he was self-funding his presidential campaign. In reality, much of the campaign funding came from small donors, and significant sums were funneled back into Trump-owned properties for campaign events and services.
2016
Trump University Settlement
- The $25 Million Fraud Case: Though predating his campaign, the settlement for Trump University came to fruition during his presidency. Accused of defrauding students with false promises of real estate expertise, Trump paid $25 million to settle lawsuits.
Trump Foundation Scandal
- Charity Funds for Personal Use: New York’s attorney general revealed that Trump used his charity’s funds to settle legal disputes, purchase personal items, and promote his political campaign. The foundation was dissolved in 2018.
2017
The Trump Inauguration Fund
- Excessive Spending at Trump Properties: Trump’s inaugural committee raised $107 million—more than double previous administrations—only to face allegations of misusing funds, with significant payments directed to Trump-owned businesses.
Emoluments Clause Violations
- Foreign Governments and Trump Properties: Trump’s refusal to divest from his businesses led to allegations that foreign governments paid for influence through stays and events at Trump properties, notably the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
2018
Family Separation and Detention Contracts
- Profiting from Detention Centers: Private contractors with ties to Trump donors profited from the administration’s family separation policies, with lucrative government contracts awarded to companies running detention centers.
Trump’s Chinese Trademark for Ivanka’s Products
- Questionable Favoritism: After a meeting with Chinese officials, China fast-tracked trademarks for Ivanka Trump’s products, raising ethical concerns over conflicts of interest.
2019
Trump’s Border Wall Funding Scheme
- We Build the Wall Scandal: Trump allies, including Steve Bannon, were implicated in a fraudulent crowdfunding scheme, raising $25 million to privately fund the border wall but using much of it for personal expenses.
Sharpiegate
- Hurricane Dorian Map Alteration: Trump infamously doctored a weather map with a Sharpie to include Alabama in Hurricane Dorian’s path, sparking ridicule and a subsequent defense that wasted government resources.
2020
COVID-19 Scams
- “Trump Bucks” Relief Cards: While promoting pandemic relief, websites falsely associated with Trump marketed “Trump Bucks” and similar memorabilia as collectibles, with many consumers believing they had monetary value.
Hydroxychloroquine Promotion
- Unproven Miracle Cure: Trump aggressively promoted hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 cure, despite a lack of scientific evidence. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and some Trump associates profited from the ensuing frenzy.
Rallies as Business Ventures
- Campaign Events at Trump Properties: Trump’s campaign events, often held at his own properties, funneled millions of donor dollars back into his businesses.
2021
The Big Lie and Election Fundraising
- Fundraising Based on False Claims: Trump and his allies raised over $250 million to contest the 2020 election results. Much of the money was redirected to Trump-aligned PACs and organizations rather than funding legal challenges.
Trump Social Media Platform
- Truth Social Launch: In an attempt to compete with mainstream social media, Trump launched Truth Social in 2021. The platform struggled with technical issues, low engagement, and a limited user base.
2022
NFT Grift
- Trump Digital Trading Cards: In December, Trump announced a bizarre line of $99 digital trading cards featuring poorly edited images of himself in various heroic poses. Despite ridicule, the NFTs reportedly sold out within hours, raising millions.
2023
The “Patriot Legal Defense Fund”
- Misleading Legal Fundraising: Trump raised money from supporters to combat legal challenges. Reports revealed that much of the money went to pay his personal attorneys and unrelated political expenses.
Ongoing Ventures
Trump Properties and Tax Controversies
- Inflated Valuations: Trump’s real estate portfolio remains under scrutiny for inflated valuations used to secure loans and deflate tax obligations, as revealed in New York Attorney General Letitia James’s ongoing investigation.
Licensing and Merchandise Schemes
- Trump-Branded Memorabilia: From MAGA hats to gold-plated memorabilia, Trump continues to profit from the sale of merchandise tied to his brand.
Conclusion
This timeline underscores the persistent pattern of leveraging public office, donor support, and high-profile ventures for personal and financial gain. From questionable business practices to outright scams, Trump’s legacy is defined as much by his presidency as by his attempts to monetize it.
You said:
Can you expand the list to provide detail of all the Licensing and merchanding schemes?
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Expanded List: Donald Trump’s Licensing and Merchandising Schemes
Donald Trump’s branding empire is built on licensing his name and image to a wide array of products and ventures, often with mixed results. Below is a detailed examination of Trump’s licensing and merchandising schemes, highlighting the breadth of his brand and its controversies.
Trump-Branded Merchandise
MAGA Hats
- Overview: Perhaps the most recognizable Trump-branded product, the red “Make America Great Again” hats became a symbol of his campaign and presidency. Sold at rallies and online, the hats reportedly cost less than $5 to produce but retailed for $25 to $40 each.
- Controversy: Many hats were manufactured overseas, despite Trump’s “America First” rhetoric.
Trump Collectible Coins
- Overview: Trump-themed coins, often marketed as “patriotic memorabilia,” feature his face or campaign slogans. These coins were sold on unofficial websites, sometimes misleading buyers into believing they were government-issued.
- Controversy: Many buyers felt deceived as the coins held no monetary or collectible value and were cheaply produced.
Trump Gold Bars
- Overview: Gold-plated bars and coins bearing Trump’s likeness have been sold through various unofficial channels, often marketed as high-value investments.
- Controversy: These items were widely criticized as scams, with little intrinsic value beyond their novelty.
Trump Checks and Trump Bucks
- Overview: Trump “checks” and “bucks” were marketed as patriotic collectibles but had no legal or monetary value. Sellers often implied they could be redeemed or used as currency, misleading buyers.
- Controversy: These schemes targeted Trump supporters, many of whom believed the products were endorsed by Trump himself.
Trump-Themed Apparel and Accessories
Trump Ties and Suits
- Overview: Long before his presidency, Trump licensed his name to a line of men’s clothing, including ties, suits, and shirts, sold in department stores.
- Controversy: Despite being branded as “luxury,” many of these items were manufactured in countries like China and Mexico, contradicting Trump’s emphasis on American-made goods.
Trump Shoes
- Overview: A line of Trump-branded women’s shoes was produced and sold during the early 2000s.
- Controversy: As with his clothing line, manufacturing occurred overseas, raising questions about Trump’s “America First” claims.
Trump Jewelry
- Overview: Ivanka Trump’s jewelry line included necklaces and bracelets promoted heavily during Trump’s presidency.
- Controversy: The line faced scrutiny for using cheap materials and relying on overseas labor.
Beverages and Food Products
Trump Steaks
- Overview: Trump promoted a line of premium steaks, sold through outlets like Sharper Image and QVC. Advertised as the “world’s greatest steaks,” they were marketed at high prices.
- Controversy: Trump Steaks flopped due to poor quality, high prices, and limited availability.
Trump Vodka
- Overview: Trump Vodka, introduced in 2006, was marketed as a premium liquor with the tagline, “Success Distilled.” Trump claimed it would dominate the vodka market.
- Controversy: The product failed to meet sales expectations, and production ceased in 2011. Despite Trump’s famous teetotaling, his name on an alcohol brand was seen as contradictory.
Trump Ice Water
- Overview: Trump-branded bottled water was offered at his properties and sold as part of his broader branding efforts.
- Controversy: The product was unremarkable and never gained significant market traction.
Books and Media
“The Art of the Deal”
- Overview: Trump’s 1987 bestseller remains a cornerstone of his brand, presenting him as a master negotiator. While predating his presidency, the book has been continually reissued and marketed during his political rise.
- Controversy: Co-writer Tony Schwartz later disavowed the book, claiming it exaggerated Trump’s business acumen.
Trump University Books
- Overview: Accompanying his fraudulent Trump University, books and manuals were sold promising real estate success.
- Controversy: These materials were part of the larger lawsuit alleging Trump University defrauded students.
Truth Social
- Overview: Trump launched the Truth Social platform as an alternative to mainstream social media. While technically not a licensed product, it serves as a key vehicle for his branding.
- Controversy: The platform has faced technical issues, limited user engagement, and allegations of data security lapses.
Collectibles and Memorabilia
Trump Digital Trading Cards (NFTs)
- Overview: In 2022, Trump released a line of $99 digital trading cards featuring fantastical images of himself as a superhero, astronaut, and cowboy.
- Controversy: The NFTs were widely mocked for their absurdity and lack of originality. Despite this, they reportedly sold out quickly, raising millions.
Trump Bobbleheads and Figurines
- Overview: Trump-themed figurines and bobbleheads have been sold as collector’s items, often featuring exaggerated or caricatured designs.
- Controversy: These items are part of broader memorabilia targeting Trump supporters, with mixed reactions regarding their quality and value.
Real Estate Branding and Licensing
Trump Towers International
- Overview: Trump licensed his name to luxury real estate developments worldwide, from India to the Philippines. Developers used the Trump brand to attract wealthy buyers.
- Controversy: Many projects faced delays, financial troubles, or lawsuits. Trump’s involvement was often limited to branding, with little oversight of construction or quality.
Trump Hotels and Resorts
- Overview: Trump’s hotel chain expanded during his presidency, with licensing deals in places like Indonesia and Dubai.
- Controversy: Critics alleged that these projects represented conflicts of interest and potential violations of the Emoluments Clause.
Miscellaneous Products
Trump Board Game
- Overview: Originally launched in the late 1980s and revived in 2004, the Trump board game was marketed as a Monopoly-style game based on “deal-making.”
- Controversy: Both versions were commercial failures, with many criticizing the game’s lack of entertainment value.
Trump Fragrances
- Overview: Trump released a series of colognes with names like “Success by Trump.”
- Controversy: The fragrances were mocked for being overpriced and uninspired.
Conclusion
Trump’s licensing and merchandising schemes demonstrate a relentless pursuit of profit by leveraging his name and brand. While some ventures achieved initial success, many faced controversy, criticism, or outright failure. These ventures highlight the contradictions and opportunism that define much of Trump’s approach to business.
Now the big Questions:
Has any other candidate for president ever done thjs before and not been charged with keeping a business while in office? Tacky, tacky, tacky!
How in God’s name did this grifter EVER get elected? Oh…because mainstream media simply ignored or sane-washed his activities!