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Trump as a trading card

Trump as a trading card

For a mere $99, you can obtain a set of President Trump digital trading cards.  That means you do not even get a real card, but only an image.  If you have any knowledge of computers, you can download every one of Trump’s bigger-than-life hero cards for free.

Regardless, it has been reported that the former President has sold more than $1 million worth of those worthless cards —  he has sold out of the limited edition.  I am sure most realize that they are not getting anything of real value, but they want to show support for Trump.  Some may believe that they may have collectible value in the future.  Good luck with that.

It is not surprising that a few million folks may purchase the so-called trading cards.  I am old enough to remember the Pet Rock.  Millions of dollars were spent on a stone that you can find in a creek virtually anywhere on earth.  And if you still doubt that there are people – unfortunate people – who will buy anything, you are not familiar with the shopping channels.

The real story is not about the folks who have – and will – spend $99 for the worthless “cards.”  It is about the guy selling them.  And it is relevant who is selling them.  If they were produced by some armchair entrepreneur in Des Moines, Iowa, that would be one thing.  All kinds of people produce political memorabilia for profit.  One of the so-called “mints” offered a Trump medallion a few years back – and maybe they still do.

Trump producing Trump cards is different.  And it is the depictions.  They are not images of the highlights of his political career – launching the Space Force, visiting North Korea, or negotiating the Abraham Accords.  Rather, they are depictions of a cartoon Trump as some sort of super dynamo across a range of professions.  Some suggest his prowess in real situations – such as golf or as an astronaut — and others as a cartoon special powers superhero right out of Dell Comics.

What is disturbing about them is that they reinforce his frequently self-proclaimed – and exaggerated –importance – his narcissism.  It is so flagrant that it is embarrassing.   It is also the third time in recent days that Trump has invited legitimate criticism and concern over inexplicable events – the first two being dinner with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes and, secondly, his suggestion to trash the Constitution. The one consistency in the three events seems to be a desire to draw attention to himself – even negative attention. These actions suggest that his run for re-election is not serious.

What makes the concept of trading cards unworkable is the lack of humor.  Some folks have fantasy magazine covers as a joke (mine has me looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger).  But the humor thing does not work for Trump because he has never demonstrated a sense of humor (think Reagan).  The trading cards come across as what he really thinks of himself in all those situations – his fantasies.

To understand just how misguided and inappropriate Trump’s latest folly is, just listen to what his closest allies are saying.  Newsmax, General Michel Flynn and even Steve Bannon have taken to the airwaves to lament this latest fiasco.

Perhaps Trump realizes that his chances of returning to the White House are next to nil.  Rather, he is going back to his old model as a celebrity entertainment brand.  He is his own reality show – his own shock-jock – for fun and profit.  You know, in the tradition of entertainers like Pat Paulsen, who announced intentions to run for President as a schtick – a publicity gimmick. 

I once described Trump as a carnival barker, but it seems he is both the barker and the curiosity inside the tent.

Whatever motivated Trump, it is safe to say that this trading card gambit is not going to help him politically.  It adds more obstacles on any path to the White House – as if he needed more.

It is long past the time that Trump be cut loose by the remnants of his political supporters — and maybe time for an intervention by the family.  He should be seen for his entertainment value – but no longer as a serious politician.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

15 Comments

  1. Frank stetson

    Rearview mitror my ass!

    And the camel’s head is in the tent!

    Maybe soon you soon will realize those Trump policies you thought you voted him in for were really Sessions, Ryan, and other real legislators. And that Trump would be a Democrat in a minute if it lead to the White House. He once said “I don’t care what’s in it, just get me something to sign.“ Kind of sounds like Pelosi on steroids, don’t it.

    On the trading cards, I believe it was about 4.4 million that he took in as he sold out the “Limited addition“ photo shopped cards that you could do for 10 bucks if that.

    If people thought they were donated to his campaign, they got fucked, the money goes straight into his own pockets. It is not a campaign donation.

    The bottom line is, he’s finally showing us what he really is, a cartoon character. And yet a lot of people have his photo on their walls. Just like JFK and Ron. Amazing.

    Nice job keeping them in the rearview Larry. 😆

    When’s the referral story coming out where you tell us how stupid the select committee was in gathering all those facts from all those Republicans about all those crimes before and during January 6? The 12 minute video recap was brutal. I know you saw it, it was on MSNBC. And still is. And will be tomorrow. Over and over and over. Over and out.

    • Sam

      And your head is in your ass

      • Theodore

        That’s where Frank’s head usually is right before he spews out the contents of said ass.

  2. Tom

    Larry and Frank, you both have excellent points! I agree with both of you!

    Larry’s best are the trifecta of negative events and digital cartoon cards show his narcissism on full display (recall I have been calling Trump a flaming narcissist for a long time now on these posts – has Melania fallen down on the job of stroking Trumps super-sized ego?); that Trump cannot be considered a serious presidential contender now that he is a cartoon super hero character, and lastly that Trump has no sense of humor.

    Frank’s best (once I got past the slight bit of venom over the “rear view mirror thing twice repeated and masked in comedy – let it go Frank LOL), is that Trump policies were by those who he surrounded himself with (I have always said Trump was a bad person surrounded by good advisors that he would not listen too), and that those purchasing the digital cards have been scammed (as Larry indicates the cards are worthless and digital only) and as Frank says that the money is going to his own pockets – most likely to cover legal bills present and future.

    I do agree with Frank on the fact finding value of the Jan 6 Select Committee but I am happy Larry is finally going to be vindicated and get the trial he has often advocated for but could not get from the Select Committee which was not purposed with trialing Trump, that is a DOJ job. My hope is that the DOJ will pursue charges because I do agree with the Select Committee that without Trump’s actions (and lack of actions) that Jan 6 would never have happened.

    Lastly, I am going to hold my digital dollars in anticipation of the “Trump Prison Series” of digital cards. These might have some historic and collector value in that Trump will be the only POTUS ever to have served in Government and in the Federal Prison System!

    Gentlemen, I tingle from head to toe everytime the three of us agree!!! And what better time than Christmas for us to come together!!!

    MERRY and INDEPENDENT CHRISTMAS to both of you!!!!

  3. Chuck

    WOW, actual truth about the moron in chief and his eat up with the dumb-ass love of himself. Yes the super hero who had probs lifting a water glass and navigating a 1 degree slope. What a douche

  4. frank stetson

    Well, after I got over that slight bit of venom you hit me with, I am glad to put Trump in the rearview and do not relish the court case, which has not been announced. He was once a President so while these are pretty plane jane crimes, it’s all new law since no President has gone where Don did not fear to tread. I would be satisfied with a “can no longer hold office” settlement and put him in the rearview, really, forever. And his whole grifting family. Especially Damian, I mean the Barron — that kid is creepy, I think he is Putin’s. 👌

    I got my digital, $10 photoshop Trump cards but I notice, like Trump, it’s a few cards short of a full deck.

    I put it on my shelf of trophies right next to the Trump Ice water, my Trump vitamin kit (he kept my urine though), Trump deodorant (smells like bankruptcy), the Trump Vodka (good after announcing bankruptcy), Trump eyeglasses, Trump coffee, Trump mattress, Trump wine, and the Trump fashions and homewares from Macy’s. Had to throw out the Trump Steaks, they were very fatty making me want to toss them at the wall.

    Man this guy is a real businessman able to go out of more businesses than any other billionaire proving definingly: there’s a sucker born ever minute.

    • Tom

      Very entertaining Frank! I was not trying to give you venom, that is why I put a LOL after it. I have long maintained that Trump should not be president because he is great at business – because he is not! He is great at using bankruptcy as a form of business. Trump has well over 3000 lawsuits against him in his lifetime. Look up John Oliver, trump lawsuits, youtube. John Oliver did a great rundown of Trump lawsuits. Very funny too!

      I agree, I would settle for never being able to hold public office again at any level, since he most likely would never be sentenced to any jail time. I do have a funny comic called “The Wall That Trump Built” which came out a couple of years ago and shows Trump in a prison suit in a prison courtyard behind a very high prison wall.

      I am a bit taken back and shocked by your extensive Trump collection. Are you a “closet Trumper” by chance? Sounds like a great collection. Unfortunately, Trump may never build a library like many other POTUS so your collection will never have the chance to be viewed by the masses.

      Trump did have some good accomplishments though. I hope he will build a library somewhere, maybe close to Mar Lago where he can make the hotel money off of visitors. And it would only be about an hour and a half drive for Larry. The three of us could visit Trump Library together than crash at Larry’s house and polish off that bottle of Trump Vodka!

      Best wishes to you and yours for the Christmas, New Years holidays and beyond!

      • Frank stetson

        Sorry, five minutes after I posted, I was contacted by the Secret Service and the paid me $999.99 an item. Ever notice how the sucker think 99 rounds down? All I know is it was a FL plate with the plate: mal con tent and a golden circus tent logo.

        Problem with Trump library is he would take all the books and claim executive privilege to keep them. “I just snap my fingers and the overdues are gone!”

        Yeah, suddenly it all seems so funny.

        Just like Sam and Theodore. Little boys on the playground. “Bob, you better come at me with more than a burning flag and a membership card.”

        • Tom

          LOL Good one Frank! Yes he will probably claim executive privilege over everything!

      • Sam

        Happy kwanza to all you colored people. Stay out of trouble and don’t shoot anyone

    • Miles collins

      It’s sad that a bunch of communists bastards destroyed a great president. The next insurrection will probably be different What wrong did trump do while in office?? I think he did a great job. I used to just not like the democrats. Now I hate the ground they walk on. You people do your thing but don’t ever fuck with me or mine. That goes for antifa and blm and any other communist shit group And I’ll leave you alone.

  5. CUrt

    Basic economics lesson.

    Trump trading cards are as real as cryptocurrency. Well, that is not totally true, at the end of the day if you buy a Trump trading card, you have some digital art, not exactly my thing but still something, as opposed to cryptocurrency where you have nothing but a record you bought it and the mistaken belief that it is should have value. They both derive any future value they have, outside of the artistic value someone assigns to the trading cards,, from the Greater Fool Theory. Not exactly a good place to start from.

    So, there ‘tis

  6. Darren

    As for me, I do not own any of the cards and as of the moment do not plan on getting any.
    I just hope the cards show up EVERYWERE. Collector shows, liquor stores, Card shops, E Bay,
    Face book stores, and every were a Democrat goes. This way they are reminded of him.
    Just to PISS THEM OFF!

  7. William Travers

    The sad thing is that when the convention comes around, he may wind up as a spoiler candidate. The only way he could succeed in getting another term in office and making some kind of progress would be if the Republicans were an absolute majority in the House and the Senate (think 300+ R’s in the House and 60-70 in the Senate). Otherwise, he would be only a lame duck President, since there will always be Repubs who are in the ‘Never Trump’ camp. He is reminding me of the pitchman for the TV ads you see early in the morning.

  8. David Dutra

    I think there was a error in the printing.
    Those are TRAITOR CARDS NOT
    TRADING CARDS ! ! !

  1. What, Larry? With Election Day so close and the margin is closer still you choose Biden for your whipping person…