CNN
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Donald Trump is currently selling new watches, some with six-figure price tags. This is the latest example of a former president using his own name, something no presidential candidate has done before.
The Republican candidate announced his latest branded product, the Trump Watch, on social media on Thursday, 40 days before the election and when he had not appeared at a campaign event. He told supporters that the watch would make a perfect Christmas present and provided a link to purchase it.
The watches retail for $499, but one series (Tourbillon) costs $100,000. Available in 3 colors and limited to 147 pieces.
“These watches are really special. You’re going to love them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, a social media site where he shares political messages with his supporters.
A disclaimer on the website makes it clear that neither Trump nor his company designed, manufactured, distributed or sold the watches. Rather, a company named “TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC” was authorized to use Trump’s name to sell the watches.
Since entering the race nearly two years ago, Mr. Trump has made millions of dollars selling new merchandise featuring his name and likeness. For example, he made $7.2 million last year through a licensing agreement with NFT INT, LLC, a company that sells Trump’s digital NFTs, or non-fungible token “trading cards.”
He also released gold sneakers and two books through a publishing company co-founded by his son Donald Trump Jr., promoting a series of Trump-themed Bibles.
This week, he also launched the Trump Coin. This is a one-ounce .999% silver medallion with the former president’s face on one side and the White House signature on the back. Like the clock, the Trump coin is also the result of a separate licensing agreement. The former president pushed out the coin in a video message recorded at Mar-a-Lago, shot in the same room and in a similar style to a video released by his campaign.
Meanwhile, amid an unusually close race with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump recently announced a new cryptocurrency venture. The project is being led by his sons and his best friend, real estate developer Steve Witkoff.