U.S. election merchandise: Trump vs. Harris tees spark debate
On November 5, the world's eyes will be on Americans as they choose a new president. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer their supporters election t-shirts as a sign of support. They cost over $25, and some feature controversial slogans.
5 November 2024 07:06
The U.S. presidential election will take place on November 5, 2024. Preliminary voting results may be known on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Eastern Time.
U.S. elections: How much do Trump and Harris t-shirts cost?
The Associated Press reports that 10 million Americans have already voted, and more are lining up at polling places. Among them are people who strongly express their views by wearing t-shirts, for example, with the American flag. The candidates are also selling special t-shirts - current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, in official online stores.
The Democratic Party candidate offers 14 styles of shirts - available with short and long sleeves, or sleeveless, in three colours (black, white, and navy blue). The cheapest options, for example, with slogans like "Ka-ma-la," "When we fight we will," or "Madam President" cost $32.
The most expensive t-shirts cost $47. The purchase is a donation to the Harris Victory Fund.
Harris also offers t-shirts with photos from her youth. The selection includes a t-shirt with a photograph of a young Douglas Emhoff, Harris's husband.
A wider selection of styles can be found in the online store of the Republican Party candidate. At Trump’s store, prices are slightly lower than at Harris' - all t-shirts (there are dozens) cost $29.98.
What stands out in the businessman-politician's store are the graphics and slogans on the shirts. One t-shirt features Trump dressed in a suit with an American flag pattern, with a lion emerging from behind him. Another shows a photo of Trump walking on a red carpet after exiting a plane.
The former U.S. president also released a t-shirt with a famous photo taken during an assassination attempt on his life, which occurred on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. The slogan reads: "Impeached, arrested, convicted, shot. Still standing."
The selection also includes shirts with graphics targeting his opponent. One of them intentionally alters a letter in the word "communism" to reference Harris's name.
Who will win the U.S. elections? Bookmakers bet
Recent polls have more frequently given Trump a slightly better chance of winning than Harris. However, surveys are inconclusive - in the latest poll, the Democratic candidate enjoys the support of 51% of Americans, while the Republican candidate can count on 47%. Participants in betting markets see a higher probability of Trump’s victory.
In this year's election campaign, the number one topic is the economy. According to the portal money.pl, Donald Trump is more trusted in this area.
In a recent public opinion poll conducted by "New York Times" and Siena College, 52% of respondents believed the former president would be a better manager of the economy than Harris. The opposite view was held by 45% of respondents.
Discontent stems primarily from inflation. From February 2021 (the first full month of outgoing president Joe Biden’s tenure) to September 2024, consumer prices in the U.S. rose at an average annual rate of 4.4%. In total, during this time, prices increased by almost 16%.
For comparison, during Trump’s four-year term (from February 2017 to January 2021), inflation averaged 1.5%. The level of prices rose by only 6.6%.
However, Americans are most interested in the effects rather than the causes of price increases. Under Trump’s leadership, their incomes grew faster than under Biden’s, despite a marked improvement in economic conditions in the U.S. labour market during the latter period.
