From Fortune:



2024 presidential candidates are taking advantage of the holiday season to sell holiday-themed merchandise that captures the surreal aspects of the race. Donald Trump, in particular, is offering Christmas sweaters, gift wrap, and stockings with his mug shot on them, embracing his status as the first former president to face criminal charges. Other candidates also have various items for sale, from tree ornaments to shirts and posters, capitalizing on political moments and generating pride among supporters. Third-party vendors are also selling merchandise outside campaign events, with some seeing an increase in sales related to Trump’s criminal indictments. This merchandising strategy allows campaigns to bring in donations, user data, and visibility, while also making supporters feel good about their candidate. Moving forward, the article suggests that campaign merchandising strategies may reflect more ideology-based items in the future.



Original: Presidential candidates’ holiday merchandise pits Trump’s mug shot versus Biden’s ‘Dark Brandon’