Trump's Alleged Profiting Off Presidency: A Forbes Reporter's Analysis

Shift in Profiting from the Presidency

• 🎯 The reporter asserts that any restraint Donald Trump showed in profiting off the presidency during his first term has vanished in his second.
• 💡 While the first term saw unusual activity, such as events at the Trump DC hotel and potential conflicts of interest with companies like T-Mobile, it lacked the blatant co-opting seen now.

Examples of Profiteering

• 🧼 A notable example from the first term was a bar of soap sold online and at the Trump Hotel gift shop with a White House depiction, which was walked back after reporting.
• 👕 In contrast, Trumpstore.com, which initially focused on golf merchandise, now features a '45 47' presidential merch line, pushed out even before election concessions.

Misuse of Presidential Symbols

• ⛳ The presidential seal, which was reportedly considered for use at a Trump golf course during the first term but denied, is now being used at five or six golf clubs.
• 🎛️ This includes its appearance on items like beer pong balls, indicating a willingness to co-opt the presidency.

Lack of Repercussions

• ⚖️ The reporter suggests that the willingness to use presidential symbols and profit more openly stems from the lack of repercussions during Trump's previous term.
• 🚀 Because they "got away with a little bit" last time, there's an increased readiness to do more this time around.