My grandson collects sneakers. Apparently, this is a thing; over my life, I've known people who collect everything from beer cans to bottle caps to Lego kits, so sneakers aren't really a surprise. The boy takes his hobby seriously. He goes to sneaker conventions (yes, really) and is always on the lookout for something new, rare, or unusual; he dickers trades with other collectors and keeps his collection proudly displayed on shelves in his room.

This brings us to Donald Trump, his appearance at Philadelphia's "Sneaker Con" on Saturday, and his introduction (to a mixed response) of his newest enterprise - Trump sneakers.

Go, capitalism!

Former President Donald Trump traveled over the weekend to Pennsylvania, where he was greeted at Sneaker Con with mixed and emotional reactions from those in attendance.

Trump's surprise appearance at the event — known as "The Greatest Sneaker Show On Earth," according to the organizer's website — came shortly before the former president travels to Michigan for a campaign rally.

Taking the stage at the event in Philadelphia, Trump appeared before a crowd of emotional attendees, some of whom cheered on the president as others booed him during his speech.

Trump spoke for roughly 10 minutes, appearing alongside a pair of gold, custom Trump-branded sneakers that are now being sold in limited supply for $399 a pair.

The sneaks are about what you'd expect; typically Trump, lots of shiny gold. His reception at the Sneaker Con was about what you'd expect: some positive, some negative, no real middle ground; but then Trump has never been the guy to attract the moderates in any field of discourse.

Trump announces ‘official sneaker’ selling for $399 a pair in surprise appearance following $355M NY civil fraud trial outcome https://t.co/KfCz1MlNFw pic.twitter.com/JYRZ3uZRvS

— New York Post (@nypost) February 17, 2024

Note that the NY Post can't help but mention the $355 million judgment, which is far from a done deal; but it's not surprising that Trump could use a few extra bucks right about now, and this is a very typical Trump way to gain said dollars. The mercurial Queens real estate guy always seems to have a new idea, from colleges to steaks, and whatever else anyone may say about him, you have to admit, he always has his eye on the main chance.

See Related: NEW: Trump Makes Fiery Response to Judge's Decision in NY Civil Fraud Case

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Not exactly my thing, of course -- I'm more of a boot guy. Around the homestead, summer and winter (our summers here are often rainy and wet), I tend more towards the Alaskan norm of knee-high rubber boots, and in more polite company and on trips to town, it's either my old ropers or one of my sets of tooled cowboy boots. I wonder, though, about durability. Sneakers are supposedly athletic shoes, yes? (It's been many years since I owned a pair.) Are these durable? Will they last under hard use, running, and jumping? Or are they strictly collector's items? If so, who exactly is collecting shiny gold Trump sneaks?

There's no accounting for taste. I find the Trump sneakers to be a bit garish. But, as Grandpa used to say, every cat has its own rat.

After all: Some people juggle geese.