Let's address the elephant in the room.

At a recent Sneaker Con event in Philadelphia, former President Donald Trump made a splash by introducing a sleek new high-top shoe. The footwear, dubbed the 'Never Surrender High-Tops', garnered immediate attention for its impressive style and freshness. Drawing inspiration from current trends seen in the fashion choices of many rappers, hip-hop stars, and models, the shoe quickly became a hot commodity, selling out within just two hours of its release.

These high-tops boast a striking gold exterior with a red and white trim at the bottom. Adorning the uppers are American flags in red and blue, featuring metallic gold stars. Described as "bold, gold, and tough, just like President Trump" on the official website, only 1,000 pairs were manufactured, each uniquely numbered. Adding to their allure, Trump personally autographed ten pairs, enhancing their exclusivity. This level of limited availability is typically sought after by sneaker enthusiasts, known as 'sneakerheads'.

During the Sneaker Con event, attendees expressed their admiration for the new shoes with signs proclaiming "Sneakerheads Love Trump". This demographic, characterized by their willingness to spend $100 or more on shoes and their tendency to purchase multiple pairs annually, is predominantly made up of millennials, males, and disproportionately Black individuals, often residing in urban areas.

Despite Philadelphia's large Black population, which comprises 40.1% of the city, it's unlikely that the 'Never Surrender High-Tops' will be prevalent in predominantly Black neighborhoods. This skepticism stems from the fact that Black Americans have historically shown low levels of support for Trump, with only 6% voting for him in 2016. While there was a slight increase in support from Black men in the 2020 election, it's doubtful that this will translate into widespread adoption of Trump's sneakers, irrespective of their appeal.

The price point, set at $399, may seem steep for many potential buyers, but as noted by Robyn Mowatt in Essence, consumers are often willing to pay a premium for exclusive releases. While Black men have historically been significant contributors to the profits of major sneaker brands like Nike and Adidas, the cultural significance of urban sneaker culture, deeply rooted in Black hip-hop art forms, suggests that Trump's sneakers may face barriers to widespread acceptance.

Despite endorsements from Black celebrities in the past, Trump's sneakers may not attract significant numbers of Black consumers without a larger initial release. With only 1,000 pairs available and no indication of further production, the shoes are more likely to be cherished as collector's items by loyal Trump supporters than to be seen on the streets of major cities with significant Black populations.

While the 'Never Surrender High-Tops' may not be accessible at the moment, Trump supporters can still show their allegiance by pre-ordering two other styles of footwear available on the website. As the November 2024 presidential election approaches, it remains to be seen whether these limited-edition sneakers will make a return appearance at campaign rallies or remain prized possessions for collectors nationwide.