‘Nothing like grifting’: Russian CEO Roman Sharf sparks mockery as he wins autographed golden Donald Trump sneakers after $9K bid

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: When Roman Sharf, founder and CEO of the multi-million dollar company Luxury Bazaar, won an autographed pair of Donald Trump’s golden 'Never Surrender' sneakers for $9,000 at a Philadelphia Sneaker Con event, he probably didn’t expect his purchase to become fodder for ruthless trolling across the Internet, per New York Post.

However, that’s exactly what happened as critics mocked everything, from Sharf’s exorbitant winning bid to the ostentatious design of the shoes themselves.

While Sharf may have scored himself a flashy collectible to display in his office, the public relations value seems questionable as online detractors lambast both Trump’s latest business venture and the buyer willing to shell out a small fortune to rep it on his feet.

Roman Sharf to pass down Trump’s golden sneakers to his children

A video shows Sharf smiling and speaking to the Sneaker Con crowd as he showed off the golden kicks, which feature an American flag graphic on the back. The sneakers typically cost $399, but Sharf's bid beat out other interested buyers vying for the limited edition shoes.

Only 1,000 pairs were made, and they reportedly sold out within two hours after the launch on Saturday, February 17. After winning the bid, Sharf told the crowd, "We are going to have a winning celebration come this November, and I'll be wearing these one-of-one Donald Trump-signed sneakers."

The Russian-born but Philadelphia-based CEO later posted on social media that he plans to display the shoes prominently in his office for now before eventually passing them down to his children.

Sharf built his business, Luxury Bazaar, into one of the world's largest gray market luxury watch dealers. His company employs 30 staff and brings in around $130 million in sales yearly. The golden Trump sneakers will likely be the crown jewel additions to Sharf's almost certainly extensive personal high-end shoe collection.

The footwear launch comes on the heels of a New York judge's ruling ordering Trump to pay a staggering $355 million for allegedly inflating his net worth to deceive banks and insurers.

Internet trolls Roman Sharf for his $9,000 bid for Trump's autographed golden sneakers

As news of Sharf's $9,000 bid for Trump's autographed golden sneakers spread across the Internet, the online community wasted no time in trolling him for the purchase.

One user on X remarked, "Paying $9000? I wouldn't call that a win. Especially when you can snag them on Temu for $18."

Another user expressed their dissatisfaction with the aesthetics, stating, "They look like something you would buy in the dollar store. Awful looking."

A third user joined the chorus, criticizing the design, "How ugly and cheesy! Who in their right minds would pay so much money on these cheesy sneakers? Nothing like grifting."

Adding to the critique, someone exclaimed, "Omg!!! Ugliest shoes I have ever seen!!!"

A more dramatic response came from another user who declared, "I wouldn't be seen dead walking 1 inch in Trump's shoes."

Amidst the online backlash, a user humorously pointed out, "OMFG. Dude bought the fugliest pair of shoes ever for $9,000. I can't stop laughing."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.