7 of Trump’s most bizarre business ventures: From mugshot merchandise to tea
Donald Trump’s bold business gambits: From sneakers to steaks
Donald Trump is no stranger to taking risks and exploring new business territories. From businessman to reality TV star to the President of the United States, Trump has demonstrated a willingness to dive into various ventures, regardless of the outcome. His entrepreneurial spirit remains undeterred amid his bid to reclaim the White House. Here are seven of his most unconventional business endeavors that have captured public attention over the years.
1. Never Surrender sneakers
One of Trump’s most recent ventures involved the launch of the Never Surrender sneakers. Released in February of this year, these flashy high-tops, priced at $399, sold out within hours of its launch. The limited edition of 1,000 pairs featured a striking gold color and a prominent "T" motif. The website proudly described them as "Bold, gold and tough, just like President Trump."
2. Mugshot merchandise
Trump managed to turn his infamous mugshot into a profitable product line. Following his 2023 arrest in Georgia on charges of scheming to overturn the state's 2020 election results, the former president's mugshot from Atlanta's Fulton County Jail went viral. Trump used it to his benefit by plastering his mugshot onto T-shirts, mugs, hats, and posters, which were exclusively sold on his official website. Each item featured his mugshot, the "Never Surrender!" tagline, and the "Trump 2024 Make America Great Again" logo. Despite the controversy, the strategy was financially successful, netting Trump $7.1 million in sales within days.
3. Failed casinos
Trump's ventures haven't always been golden, particularly in the casino industry. From the late 1980s to the 2010s, Trump owned several casino properties in New Jersey's resort area, including the Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Marina, Trump Plaza, and Trump’s World Fair at Trump Plaza. Despite his enthusiasm for the gambling business, it didn’t pay off as planned. Trump Taj Mahal filed for bankruptcy in 1991 with $3 billion in debt. By 1992, the business mogul had filed for bankruptcy three times related to his Atlantic City casinos.
4. Trump Shuttle
Equally ambitious as his casino ventures was Trump’s attempt to conquer the skies with his own airline, but it too was short-lived. From 1989 to 1992, he operated Trump Shuttle, a commuter airline servicing New York, Boston, and Washington, DC. He rebranded 21 Boeing 727s, adorning them with his name and furnishing them with leather seats, maple veneer, faux marble, and luxurious carpets. However, the airline failed to achieve financial stability, defaulting on a $1.1 million loan repayment, which led to its demise.
5. Trump Steaks
Trump's penchant for attaching his name to various products extended to the food industry with Trump Steaks. Launched in 2007, these steaks were touted as "the world’s greatest." Despite the grandiose promise, the product line, which was exclusively sold through The Sharper Image and QVC, was discontinued just two months after its launch due to poor sales.
6. Trump Tea
Trump Tea, launched in collaboration with Talbott Teas in 2010, was another unique venture by the former president. This collaboration produced four whole leaf tea blends created by Talbott Teas' master blender Shane Talbott and named after some of Trump’s favorite places: Park Avenue, Union Square, the Mar-a-Lago, and the Westchester. These teas promised to be "richly invigorating," but they didn’t make a lasting impact on the market.
7. Trump University
One of Trump’s most controversial business endeavors was Trump University, which the former president established in 2005 with Michael Sexton and Jonathan Spitalny. The program aimed to teach students Trump’s real estate success secrets, with some top-tier courses costing up to $35,000. However, many students felt misled, claiming they did not receive the promised insider knowledge. The venture was rebranded as The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative before ultimately closing in 2010 amid multiple investigations and lawsuits.
