Jimmy Kimmel orders a bunch of official Trump merchandise, notices something pretty off-brand


"Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans suffered a major loss in Pennsylvania last night," with Democrat Conor Lamb beating Republican Rick Saccone in a district President Trump won by 20 points, Jimmy Kimmel said on Wednesday's Kimmel Live. The White House says the election was "essentially a tie," Kimmel laughed, "but it's not a tie, it's a loss. If it was a tie, it would be scotch-taped to Donald Trump's shirt and manufactured in China."
A week earlier, Trump had "made a very blatant attempt to woo voters in Pennsylvania by calling for heavy tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel," Kimmel said. "Trump, as you know, wants to focus on America, American-made products and goods. And so I wondered, because I agree with that, how things were going on his family website," run by Trump sons Eric and Don. Jr.? "These guys are red, white, and blue to the core — they're like a couple of flags wearing hair gel," Kimmel said. So he logged on to the official Trump store, "and even though my wife was yelling at me the whole time I was on the site, saying, 'Don't order anything from that,' I ordered a bunch of stuff."
Kimmel brought out the box. Don Jr. included a nice thank you note, but most of the Trump-branded merch was made in — where else? — China. Two of the items — a gold bar piggy bank and a dog neckerchief — did not list a country of origin, however, which is illegal (at least if they were made abroad) and subject to steep penalties. "Trump's whole platform is about supporting American companies," Kimmel said. "His companies aren't even supporting America. You know what I'm going to do? I'm sure Eric and Don Jr. didn't know about this, I'm sure this was a simple oversight. I'll just file an official complaint and let them sort it out." Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Masters: Rory McIlroy finally banishes his demons
In the Spotlight McIlroy's grand slam triumph will go down as 'one of the greatest and most courageous victories in the history of golf'
By The Week UK
-
What is your net worth and why is it worth knowing?
the explainer Take stock of your assets
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Hantavirus: the rare pathogen linked to rodents that attacks the lungs
The Explainer Despite the low risk of contracting it, the virus could be potentially deadly
By Theara Coleman, The Week US
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US