Trump Store selling $20 American flag-themed face masks
Programming note: 1100 Pennsylvania will not publish a new issue this week to allow your correspondent to focus on some other (Trump Hotel D.C.-related) reporting. All billing has been paused, so the week will not count towards paid monthly or annual subscriptions.
Trump Store now peddling American flag-themed face masks: ‘Look the part this summer’
The online Trump Store has started selling $20 American flag-themed face masks so the president’s customers can “look the part this summer.” While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings,” Donald J.Trump eschews wearing them.
In addition to featuring red and white horizontal stripes, the mask is “accented with the American Flag on the left center corner.” While your correspondent is no legal expert, coughing up COVID-19-infested spit into the flag seems like it should fall afoul of the United States flag code.
The president has retained his businesses, of course, and can profit from the purchase of these flag-themed masks.
Trump Store also sells $10 navy-colored face masks bearing the flag in the corner. These cheaper versions are in “popular demand”and not shipping until June 19 per the website. Trump Store claims both products are made in the United States.
The president’s retail store selling face masks does not appear to have been previously reported, although it’s not clear when they debuted. In May, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale debuted two Keep America Great-themed masks.
Last spring, Trump Store began carrying a cherry blossom collection that included four pieces of merch featuring the White House, as 1100 Pennsylvania reported at the time. A few weeks later, the president’s company said it would be discontinuing those items. More than a year has passed; they are still available.
In a January 2017 press conference at Trump Tower, Trump Organization attorney Sheri Dillon said that the president-elect “has also directed that no communications of the Trump Organization, including social media accounts, will reference or be tied to President-elect Trump’s role as president of the United States or the office of the presidency.”
On weekends, 1100 Pennsylvania recaps the week’s top stories. Select the day to go to that issue.
Wednesday
Two more White House staffers to exchange vows at president’s hotel: Trump Hotel D.C. will have hosted wedding celebrations for at least eight Trump administration staffers
Five Trump businesses announce plans to emerge from COVID-19-related closures
Read Wednesday’s 1100 Pennsylvania.
Friday
One tweet, ‘many’ issues: Trump claimed ‘many’ of his properties did not request bailout funds, but his administration refuses to disclose any recipients
Conway and Carson among invitees to White House staffers’ Trump Hotel D.C. wedding
On Thursday, The MyPillow Guy, Mike Lindell—who’s a Trump business regular, Trump donor, Fox News advertiser, and government contractor—posted a photo of himself with the president in the Oval Office.
Read Friday’s 1100 Pennsylvania.
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Reference section
Links to rundowns of developments in the House’s investigations and lawsuits, reference sheets for some of 1100 Pennsylvania’s previous reporting, and articles that provide the background on why all of this matters. The date published or last updated is in parentheses.
Trackers
House investigations (May 15, 2020)
Lawsuits (June 12, 2020)
Breakdown of judges’ rulings by political party of presidents who nominated them (May 14, 2020)
Health inspections (Jan. 27, 2020)
COVID-19 bailouts and charity (June 10, 2020)
Notable hotel customers
Foreign governments with representatives spotted at the Trump Hotel D.C.: 31 (March 4, 2020)
Trump cabinet members spotted at the Trump Hotel D.C.: 26 of 34 (April 15, 2020)
U.S. Senators who’ve supported the Trump Hotel D.C.: 33 of 53 Republicans, one Democrat (Feb. 21, 2020)
House Judiciary members who’ve supported the Trump Hotel D.C.: Seven of 17 Republicans, no Democrats (April 21, 2020)
House Intelligence members who’ve supported the Trump Hotel D.C.: Four of eight Republicans, no Democrats (June 1, 2020)
House Oversight members who’ve supported the Trump Hotel D.C.: Six of 17 Republicans, no Democrats (April 21, 2020)
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management who’ve supported the Trump Hotel D.C.: Four out of five Republicans, one Democrat (April 21, 2020)
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R–CA) found Trump’s hotels competitive only after Trump’s election (Sept. 12, 2019)
Rudy Giuliani at the Trump Hotel D.C: A retrospective (April 30, 2019)
Summaries
25 unimpeachable examples of Trump profiting from his hotel: Foreign governments, Trump administration, GOP lawmakers, industry all have called on the Trump Hotel D.C. since its owner became president (Sept. 27, 2019)
“Power tripping in the swamp: How Trump’s D.C. hotel swallowed Washington
The MAGA social scene is a movable feast, but its dark heart resides within the Old Post Office Building, where the Trump Org operates under a mercenary charter” by your correspondent for Vanity Fair (October 2019)“Inside the world’s most controversial hotel: The hotel that was expected to take its place among the crown jewels of D.C.’s travel scene has become a magnet for protestors, a West Wing Annex, and—possibly—the center of a constitutional crisis.” by your correspondent for Condé Nast Traveler (May 2018)
27 times Trump’s promoted his businesses on Twitter while president (May 12, 2020)
Upcoming key dates
Sept. 23, 2019—House Judiciary Committee hearing “Presidential corruption: Emoluments and profiting off the presidency” (postponed, not yet rescheduled)
June or July 2020—Before postponement of oral arguments due to a coronavirus-related closure, Supreme Court decision due on Trump’s appeal of earlier rulings requiring his financial institutions to comply with subpoenas from House Financial Services, Intelligence, and Oversight
July 8, 2020—Deadline for the Departments of State and Homeland Security to respond to The Washington Post’s lawsuit alleging the departments have failed to share records responsive to Freedom of Information Act requests seeking information on government spending at Trump properties
Aug. 10, 2020—Scheduling conference before D.C. Superior Court in D.C. attorney general’s lawsuit alleging improperly spent nonprofit funds by the Trump Hotel D.C. and Trump’s inaugural committee
Oct. 29, 2020—Mediation session in at least a one-time Trump appointee in the Commerce Department’s lawsuit against the Trump Hotel D.C., alleging a shard of glass from a sabered bottle of champagne left a gash in her chin
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