US Politics
Trump is reportedly gifting $145 dress shoes to his friends and advisers: ‘All the boys have them’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Donald Trump is reportedly handing out his favorite brand of affordable dress shoes to all his courtiers — and many are “afraid” not to wear them in front of him.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the fashion-conscious president has been foisting Florsheim leather oxfords on aides, officials, and visiting VIPs after taking a shine to the Wisconsin-based shoemaker.
Recipients have reportedly made sure to wear them when Trump is near, apparently sometimes reluctantly. At around $145 (£107), or even as low as $59.90 (£44.48) on clearance, they aren’t exactly haute couture.
“It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them,” one insider told the WSJ. “All the boys have them,” another said.
Trump himself has apparently often changed topics to praise the “incredible” shoes during official meetings, or ask whether aides have received their pair yet. Sometimes he tries to guess people’s shoe size in front of them.
open image in gallery
Reported recipients include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Communications Director Steven Cheung, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, far-right pundit Tucker Carlson, and Fox News host Sean Hannity are also said to be among owners of the shoes.
“Marco, JD, you guys have s—y shoes,” Trump declared during one meeting with Vance and Rubio in the Oval Office last December, according to Vance.
open image in gallery
Vance told the WSJ that Trump then produced a Florsheim catalogue and asked everyone their size. When another man said he wore size seven shoes, Vance said, Trump “kind of leans back in his chair and says, ‘You know, you can tell a lot about a man by his shoe size.’”
More than one person recounted an episode in which a cabinet secretary grumbled that he was having to wear Florsheim shoes instead of his usual Louis Vuittons.
Thomas Florsheim Jr, the CEO of Florsheim’s parent company, said he was not aware of Trump’s preferences and declined to comment further.
The Independent has asked the White House for comment.