Donald Trump’s $612 golden sneakers sell out
Former US president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump stunned a crowd at Sneaker Con by launching a line of golden sneakers worth more than $612 a pair that ran out the door
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Donald Trump has launched his own line of sneakers as he tries to “big foot” his way back into the White House.
The former US president and Republican frontrunner showed off his new shoes at global sneaker show “Sneaker Con” in Philadelphia on Saturday, including his golden “Never Surrender high-tops,” The New York Post reported.
The golden sneakers were decorated with American flag logos and have already sold out after being released for sale in limited supply.
Marketed as “President Trump’s official sneakers,” the high-tops cost $612 in Australian dollars, while a low-top style in either “T-Red” or “POTUS” white, both with a golden “45” on the side, sold for $305.
The sneakers haven’t been the only merchandise for sale during Trump’s campaign to lead the Republican Party and stand for president a second time.
Trump has also launched his own perfume, called “Victory 47”, which comes in a golden bottle with a stopper modelled after Trump’s head for just over $151 in Australian dollars.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” Trump told the crowd at Sneaker Con.
Some members of the crowd reportedly chanted “USA, USA” while others booed as Trump walked on stage to promote the shoes.
“I have some incredible people that work with me on things, and they came up with this, and this is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years. I think it’s gonna be a big success,” Trump said.
Trump – who was ordered by a New York judge Friday to pay $AU544.5 million for allegedly telling banks and insurers he had more wealth than he really did – is also selling other lines of “never surrender” items, including T-shirts and mugs.
This story was published by the New York Post and is reproduced with permission
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GLOSSARY
- Republican frontrunner: person most likely to lead the Republican Party in the US presidential elections
- surrender: give up
- limited supply: a small amount of something
- allegedly: something that is claimed to have taken place despite there being no proof
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QUICK QUIZ
1. What are Donald Trump’s golden sneakers called?
2. What is the name of the sneaker convention the shoes were launched at?
3. What other Trump merchandise is for sale?
4. How did the crowd react to Trump’s sneaker launch?
5. How much does a pair of Trump’s golden sneakers cost?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Sneaker design
Design your own sneaker with a design you think represents you or something you are passionate about or enjoy.
Sketch your design, give your design a name and a price tag.
Sneaker design:
Do you think your sneaker design would be a sales success? Why or why not?
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
Why would ex-president Trump want to go into sneaker and perfume merchandise?
What would the money that people are paying for these items go towards?
Do you think Donald Trump could be the President of the USA again?
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
WordMania!
Play with a partner or in a small group. Set a timer to 3 minutes. When the timer begins, you must create as many words as possible from the word “republican.”
3 Letter words = 1 point
4 letter words = 2 points
5 letter words = 3 points
Tip: You might wish to write the letters into small squares so you can move them around.
Extension: Choose another word from the article and play again!
Time: allow 10-20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum links: English, Big Write, VCOP