ANDERSON COOPER MOCKS TRUMP MERCHANDISE RANGE ON CNN

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper broke into laughter during a live Tuesday night segment while discussing Donald Trump's expanding range of branded merchandise. Cooper opened by noting that 9 June coincided with primary elections across several states and the date the Trump family began monetising a UFC cage match planned at the White House. The event is being held on the White House lawn to mark both the United States' 250th anniversary and Trump's 80th birthday. Cooper presented the segment with open sarcasm, questioning how Trump finds time to design the products himself.

The merchandise range includes commemorative coins issued in gold and silver editions, priced at up to $11,999.99. Trump's "God Bless the U.S.A." Bible, named after the Lee Greenwood country song, retails at $99.99 and is available in pink-and-gold, camouflage, and a red "First Lady" edition; it also contains the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The range also includes "Never Surrender" gold high-top sneakers, which Trump has not been seen wearing. Cooper noted that Trump posted on social media during the conflict with Iran to claim the same sneakers were selling at a convention in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for $180,000.

Cooper also highlighted a gold-plated smartphone retailing at $499, which Trump had originally promoted as being manufactured in the United States. The segment included a montage of Trump's own advertisements for the various products. The broadcast drew attention to the timing of the high-priced coin release against a backdrop of widespread public concern over the cost of living. No response from Trump or his representatives was included in the broadcast.