By Ghana News Kwame Bediako
U.S. President Donald Trump is adding fragrances to the growing list of merchandise that bear his name, raising fresh questions about his use of the presidential bully pulpit to hawk products that enrich him and his family.
The former New York real estate tycoon, who moved back into the White House in January for his second term, announced this week that a new Trump-branded cologne for men and perfume for women were available for purchase.
鈥淭rump Fragrances are here. They鈥檙e called 鈥榁ictory 45-47鈥 because they鈥檙e all about Winning, Strength and Success,鈥 he wrote on his Truth Social account on Monday.
Trump, a Republican, served as the 45th U.S. president from 2017-2021 and became the country鈥檚 47th president with his 2024 win.
The fragrances come in a black box with gold lettering for men and a red box with gold lettering for women. The fragrance containers look like mini statues of Trump.
Reaction was swift online, with critics accusing the president of corruption.
鈥淭here鈥檚 never been, and I don鈥檛 think in American history, someone who鈥檚 stealing so much in plain sight 鈥 grifting and graft,鈥 U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia said in a video shared on X.
Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, noted Trump was advertising the fragrances while Republicans sought to reduce Medicare benefits for low-income Americans in his budget bill.
鈥淪enate Democrats are fighting to prevent President Trump from kicking 17 million people off their health care and he鈥檚 promoting his line of fragrances,鈥 Welch said on X.
The White House declined to comment about the criticism.
The scents are the most recent products that the Trump family has unveiled. In June his family business licensed its name to launch a U.S. Mobile service and a $499 smartphone. The phone was promoted as sleek and gold, Trump鈥檚 preferred color.
The president has said he put his business interests in a trust managed by his children to avoid conflicts of interest, but income from such business ventures will eventually enrich the president, who sits atop the series of Trump family firms.
Trump receives income from licensing deals, crypto projects, golf clubs and other ventures. He has also hawked gold sneakers and a 鈥淕od bless the USA Bible.鈥