Hundreds of Trump’s own supporters are demanding refunds and threatening lawsuits after spending up to $900 on luxury “Trump Watches” that either never arrived or showed up with glaring defects like missing letters in the Trump logo.
Story Highlights
- MAGA supporters paid $600-$900 for Trump-branded luxury watches that frequently arrived defective or never shipped
- Customer complaints flooded review sites with one-star ratings, citing missing logo letters and poor quality control
- Trump continues promoting the watches in advertisements despite mounting backlash from his own base
- The manufacturer’s customer service has been overwhelmed with refund requests and complaint escalations
When Loyalty Meets Poor Quality Control
The Trump Watch debacle represents something unprecedented in political merchandising: a product failure so egregious that it has Trump’s most devoted supporters publicly calling his venture a “scam.” Customers who ordered watches ranging from $600 to $900 expected luxury collectibles featuring memorabilia from Trump’s presidency. Instead, many received watches with “RUM” instead of “TRUMP” printed on the face, while others received nothing at all despite months of waiting.
The most damaging aspect isn’t the production errors themselves, but the response from TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC, the company behind the watches. Customers report automated responses to complaints, delayed refunds, and customer service representatives who seem unprepared for the volume of dissatisfaction. This has created a cascading effect where Trump’s political brand becomes directly associated with poor business practices.
The Marketing Promise Versus Reality
Trump’s advertisements positioned these timepieces as premium collectibles, with some models claiming to contain fabric from his “mugshot suit” and other presidential memorabilia. The marketing emphasized American craftsmanship and luxury materials, justifying price points that compete with established Swiss watch brands. Watch industry experts quickly identified the products as “homages” to popular luxury designs, likely manufactured in low-cost overseas facilities.
The disconnect between marketing promises and delivered products has created a trust crisis among Trump’s supporter base. Trustpilot reviews show a consistent pattern of one-star ratings, with customers documenting everything from shipping delays to fundamental quality control failures. The volume and consistency of these complaints suggests systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.
Political Fallout and Brand Damage
Political opponents have seized on the watch controversy as evidence of Trump’s willingness to exploit his supporters for profit. California Governor Gavin Newsom and other critics have highlighted the timing of luxury watch sales during periods of national crisis and government funding debates. The optics of selling $900 watches while advocating for working-class Americans has created additional political vulnerabilities.
The controversy extends beyond immediate financial losses to fundamental questions about the intersection of political identity and commercial exploitation. Trump’s supporters invested not just money but emotional trust in products bearing his name and image. The failure to deliver on that trust may have lasting implications for future fundraising efforts and merchandise sales, as the core supporter base becomes more skeptical of Trump-branded ventures.
Sources:
Furious MAGA Customers Say They Got Scammed by Trump Watches – The Daily Beast
Trump Watches: New commercial sparks backlash – Jeweller Magazine
Trump Watches – Market Realist
