I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t followed Sharpiegate too closely, because it just comes off as yet another tiresome example of a media-driven “scandal” of sorts that really wasn’t.
But regardless of who said what first, or who infamously expanded the Hurricane Dorian forecast cone on the weather map with a Sharpie marker, the Trump campaign has come up with a creative way to capitalize on the controversy: With their own version of a Sharpie marker.
Politico reports:
Donald Trump’s reelection campaign has added a Trump-branded permanent marker to its web store, capitalizing on the Sharpie-gate drama and expanding the campaign’s culture war offerings that already include stick-it-to-the-liberals plastic straws.
The marker, announced on Twitter this morning by campaign manager Brad Parscale, is the latest effort by the campaign to amplify and then commodify what could have been a relatively minor controversy.
“Buy the official Trump marker, which is different than every other marker on the market, because this one has the special ability to drive @CNN and the rest of the fake news crazy!” Parscale tweeted.
Here’s what it looks like:
The Trump campaign is selling a sharpie. Does this mean this news cycle is almost over. pic.twitter.com/vlgrEf21rZ
— Miriam Elder (@MiriamElder) September 6, 2019
As the Politico story noted, and as Sarah Lee wrote back in July, the campaign is also selling environmentally friendly “Trump straws”, which look like this:
Don’t be a hater. I got my Trump straws. I have only good intentions and that these are a gift for a very good friend. Yes, he’s a👮♀️and loves Trump. I might keep one for myself or maybe order more! 🤔#Trump #TrumpStraws #MAGA pic.twitter.com/g1f4Baxo2Q
— MEeeeeee (@hammboneneeda) August 30, 2019
The campaign has also trolled Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) with a “Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff Tee”:
Team Trump releases 'Little Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff' tee https://t.co/wfzKfKEBVU
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) March 30, 2019
And then there was the “Fredo Unhinged” tee, which was sold in the aftermath of CNN “Prime Time” anchor Chris Cuomo’s unhinged meltdown in response to a critic who called him “Fredo” at a New York City bar last month:
If you thought the Cuomo thing was out of control before, Trump's website is hawking this "Fredo Unhinged Tee."
"CNN’s Chris Cuomo is Fredo! The truth hurts. He totally lost it. Help us annoy Chris Cuomo," says the shop. pic.twitter.com/lCsm4zpOzX
— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) August 13, 2019
Like Cocaine Mitch’s reelection campaign team, the Trump campaign’s troll game is strong.
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— Based in North Carolina, Sister Toldjah is a former liberal and a 15+ year veteran of blogging with an emphasis on media bias, social issues, and the culture wars. Read her Red State archives here. Connect with her on Twitter. –
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