7 of Donald Trump’s most bizarre businesses and products ever: from his limited edition Never Surrender sneakers to making millions from his mugshot merch featuring the 2024 MAGA logo

Mar 18 , 2024

Former US president Donald Trump may be far from politically correct, but he sure knows how to peddle interesting products. Photo: Reuters

Say what you want about Donald Trump: the man isn’t afraid to try new things and slap his name on products, especially if he can make a quick buck in the process.

Considering that he went from businessman to reality star to the president of the US, it’s no wonder he’s not afraid to dive into various ventures, even if some – or many – of them end up flopping.

Supporters of former US president and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump wait for him to speak at a “Get Out the Vote” rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, wearing pro-Trump pins. Photo: AFP

Now that he’s trying to get back into the White House, you’d think he has his hands full with politics. But, no, Trump is still hustling and releasing products, some more bizarre than others.

Here are seven of the most outrageous products, properties and business endeavours Trump has dabbled in over the years.

1. The Never Surrender sneakers

Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump introduced his new line of signature shoes at Sneaker Con at the Philadelphia Convention Centre on February 17. Photo: AFP

Just last month, Trump surprised the internet when he dropped a gaudy range of Never Surrender high-tops. Selling for US$399, the limited edition run of 1,000 “collector item” shoes sold out in a matter of hours. With their stand-out gold colour and large “T” notif, the kicks are certainly eye-catching.

“Bold, gold and tough, just like president Trump,” the website reads.

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2. His mugshot products

T-shirts and hats with an image depicting the mugshot of former US president Donald Trump are pictured after being printed at the Y-Que printing store in Los Angeles, California, in August 2023. Photo: Reuters

Last year, after his headline-making arrest in Fulton County, Georgia, Trump put his mugshot photo on a series of T-shirts, mugs and posters, selling them exclusively on his official website.

All items feature Trump’s infamous mugshot, the “Never Surrender!” tagline and the Trump 2024 Make America Great Again logo. It was an eyebrow-raising move, but it paid off for the disgraced former president. In a matter of days, Trump made US$7.1 million in sales, per Forbes.

3. Failed Trump casinos

The bankrupt Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Photo: AP

Trump sure seems to love a good gamble, so it comes as no surprise that he once ventured into the casino business too. Between the 1980s and 2010s, the former president owned a total of four properties in New Jersey’s casino resort area, per Yahoo! – Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Marina (originally Trump’s Castle), Trump Plaza and Trump’s World Fair at Trump Plaza.

By 1991, he filed for bankruptcy for Trump Taj Mahal with US$3 billion debt and by 1992, he filed bankruptcy a total of three times related to his casinos in the area.

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4. Failed Trump airline

He might be famous for his beloved Boeing 757 private jet, but did you know Trump once tried to launch his very own airline? Between 1989 to 1992, he owned and operated the Trump Shuttle commuter airline between New York, Boston and Washington DC, per The Sydney Morning Herald.

He rebranded 21 Boeing 727s by splashing his last name on the planes and kitting them out with leather seats, maple veneer, faux marble and fancy carpets. Sadly for him, the luxury airline defaulted on a US$1.1 million loan repayment, resulting in yet another failed business venture.

5. Failed Trump Steaks

Trump Steaks were discontinued due to low sales in 2007. Photo: @TrumpSteaks/X

Ever tried, erm, “the world’s greatest steaks”? That’s what Trump promised with his 2007 brainchild Trump Steaks – a brand of steak and other meats that he licensed. Unfortunately for him and his meat-loving fans, the steaks were discontinued after only two months due to low sales.

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6. Trump Tea

Trump Tea was created in collaboration with Talbott Teas. Photo: Bestromssk

Trump once teamed up with Talbott Teas to create four whole leaf tea blends featuring the Trump logo and name. Named for some of Trump’s favourite places, the teas Park Avenue, Union Square, the Mar-a-Lago and the Weschester promised to be “richly invigorating”.

7. Trump University

Donald Trump speaks as university president Michael Sexton looks on during a news conference announcing the establishment of Trump University in New York City, in 2005. Photo: Getty Images

Established in 2005, Trump University was a property training programme that promised to share his secrets to success. Per CNN, attendees paid up to US$35,000 for the highest tier of programmes, but instead complained that they didn’t get the insider guidance that was advertised. Trump was hit with multiple lawsuits alleging he defrauded students.

Afterwards, he changed the name to The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative, which eventually shut its doors for good in 2010.

Donald Trump

It can be hard to tell when Trump is being serious or not, as his products and campaigns often seem like a parody … and he hasn’t slowed down even during the 2024 US presidential campaign
He’s got a new line of sneakers and mugshot merch, while his past failed ventures include casinos, a steak brand, a university, an airline, and tea blends named after some of his favourite places