Donald Trump has spent the last three years screaming from the rooftops that he wants to put America first. For instance, last spring he issued an executive order that appeared to put more teeth in “buy American, hire American” laws already on the books.
But we all know that his own family doesn’t follow that rule. Trump-branded ties and suits are made in Indonesia and Mexico, while Trump-branded dress shirts are made in Bangladesh. Much of First Daughter Ivanka Trump’s clothing line is also made overseas.
Earlier this week, Jimmy Kimmel discovered that Donald’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, also didn’t get the memo about buying American. And it could cost them–bigly.
On Wednesday night’s edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Kimmel revealed that he’d recently visited the Trump Store, the official retail store of the Trump real estate empire. Watch what he found here.
Despite his wife, Molly, begging him not to line the Trumps’ pockets, Kimmel bought a boxful of stuff from the Trump Store. Among other things, he found a hat made in China, a coffee cup made in Thailand, a duffel bag made in China, a blanket made in China, and a bib made in Peru.
But two items Kimmel bought could get Donald Jr. and Eric in a lot of trouble. A Trump coin bank shaped like a gold bar had no country of origin listed. Neither did a Trump bandanna.
The problem? Federal law requires all imported goods to be marked with its country of origin. Failing to include this can result in fines of up to $500,000 or “double the loss or gain” from the violation. But even without the legal ramifications, Kimmel noted that the optics on this look terrible.
“Are they capable of shame? I mean, Trump’s whole platform is about supporting American companies. His company isn’t even supporting America!”
So Kimmel decided to let Customs and Border Protection sort it out. He’s filing a formal complaint.
Donald Jr. and Eric’s response proved that they really are their father’s sons. They actually thought Kimmel was giving them more business.
Hey @JimmyKimmel, it appears you make an even better salesman than comedian – Thanks for the pitch! https://t.co/uw6A6RS81n pic.twitter.com/1ih2mREDpx
— Trump Store (@TrumpStore) March 15, 2018
The Trump Store’s Twitter feed touted that there actually are goods there made in the USA. But apparently they missed the point, as Kimmel reminded them.
You are most welcome and, may I say, the Chinese do a BEAUTIFUL job making your products! @DonaldJTrumpJr @EricTrump https://t.co/te6L2pNkw0
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 15, 2018
Other users quickly piled on.
And then there's this…also made in China pic.twitter.com/orQlZSycjM
— words&images (@CMBYN_quotes) March 15, 2018
How much are the Chinese getting paid to make America great again?
— Michelle Reiter (@mreiter72) March 15, 2018
Please make a Trump™ Matryoshka doll, with Donald, then all the kids, and finally, right in the center, Bob Mueller.
— Matt McCullough (@MattysCrazyMind) March 15, 2018
— My Whisker Face (@My_Whisker_Face) March 16, 2018
Making China great again ?
— Gary Williams (@Garywill181) March 16, 2018
That's great. I'd like to congratulate the Chinese and Peruvian workers who are getting money from Kimmel's bit that could be going to American Workers.
— Craig Nash (@clocktower74) March 15, 2018
I love that the trump store had to set up a specific collection to counteract trump's glaring hypocrisy.
— Damawe (@damawe82) March 15, 2018
I guess even Bangladesh is involved in the scheme. #BuyBangladeshHireBangladesh pic.twitter.com/GcO5ZTyCX7
— Desmond Atem, BSN, RN↗️ (@RealDesmondAtem) March 16, 2018
#Mexico also does a beautiful job making #Trump's suits. pic.twitter.com/Gro6gzotLn
— Mary Cummins ? (@MaryCummins1) March 16, 2018
All kidding aside, this may be one time where a Trump family con could potentially cost them. And we all have Kimmel to thank for it.
So once again, the nation’s late-night comedians are doing this nation a public service.
(featured image courtesy Arturo Padavia III, available under a Creative Commons-BY license)
