Trump Branded Alcohol Appears in Military Retail Outlets
Alcoholic beverages marketed under President Donald Trump's name have begun appearing for sale in shops operated by the US Coast Guard, prompting renewed scrutiny over the First Family's extensive commercial interests. According to a report from Forbes, the products are being stocked in Coast Guard Exchanges located in Washington, D.C. and Centreville, Virginia.
These exchanges provide service members and their families with the benefit of tax-free shopping. The situation was first brought to light by an anonymous whistleblower, who identified as a Homeland Security employee working in counter-terrorism, via an Instagram post that included a photograph of the bottles displayed on a promotional table.
Official Confirmation and Ethical Questions
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to The Independent that the Trump wine and cider are indeed being sold in these stores. In an official statement, she said, "The brave men and women of the USCG are pleased to be able to buy Trump wine and cider tax-free." The Independent has also sought comments from both the White House and the Coast Guard.
However, the move has raised significant ethical flags. Jordan Libowitz, from the government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told Forbes that while the sales may not be illegal, they present a clear problem of optics and ethics. "You don’t want to see the military essentially playing sides," Libowitz stated. "Are they going to try to make money for other presidents? It’s a weird thing."
A Pattern of Presidential Branding and Growing Wealth
This incident is the latest in a long history of the Trump name being lent to consumer products. Despite President Trump being a lifelong teetotaler who prefers Diet Coke, his wine business is valued at an estimated $44 million. His brand has been attached to a vast array of items, including:
- Steaks and luxury watches
- Golden sneakers and guitars
- Bibles and a 'Fight, Fight, Fight' watch collection
Forbes magazine currently estimates Trump's net worth at $6.5 billion, noting it has nearly doubled since he returned to the White House, largely due to his family's cryptocurrency ventures.
During his first term, the Trump Organization's online store largely avoided merchandise explicitly tied to the presidency. That approach has since changed, with the online store now offering a '45-47 collection'. Income from his businesses while in office is managed through the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, of which he is the sole beneficiary.
In a contrasting note, the president's wineries applied to hire 31 short-term temporary workers from overseas this year, according to Department of Labor records, despite the administration's hardline stance on immigration.
