Say what you will about Trump: the man never misses an opportunity to use a national tragedy for personal gain.
Three times in the past two days65 Days of Solo Pleasure 3: Secret Office Sex the president has been spotted wearing his campaign's own "USA" hat while in public settings. Trump has come under fire for turning the Texas emergency into a fundraising opportunity for his war chest.
SEE ALSO: Trump sends out fundraising email in middle of Texas emergency because *bangs head on desk*The USA hat in question is currently available for $40 on Trump's campaign website.
While some see it as a way for him to express his patriotism, for many Trump's choice has crossed yet another ethical boundary: the president shouldn't be taking advantage of a natural disaster to promote his personal brand.
As @realDonaldTrump leaves for Texas, he makes sure he's carrying the hats he's been advertising--yours for just $40 on his campaign website pic.twitter.com/jCtexY3iOx
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) August 29, 2017
For a third time, Trump is using Hurricane Harvey as product placement for a hat he sells for $40 pic.twitter.com/8Js7DEnbAs
— Gabriel Snyder (@gabrielsnyder) August 29, 2017
Walter Shaub, the former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics who resigned before he could spontaneously combust, had this to say:
The presser would be more convincing if POTUS weren't wearing merch touted as the hat “worn by 45thPresident-Elect Donald J. Trump, himself” pic.twitter.com/kbv0KFvaS9
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 29, 2017
Some speculated that it was just a matter of time before Melania's hat appeared on the website as well.
Okay how much is the FLOTUS hat gonna cost in the official Trump web store
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) August 29, 2017
And others were just happy that Trump knew the name of their country.
I like when Trump wears the USA hat. Lets me know what country he's President of
— Brendan O'Hare (@brendohare) August 29, 2017
Ladies and gentleman, the president of ShopDonaldJTrump.com.
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