Donald Trump dolls

Several dolls based on Donald Trump have been created since 2004, beginning with the release of a 12-inch Trump doll by Stevenson Entertainment Group, which signed a licensing deal with The Trump Organization. The doll includes 17 phrases recorded by Trump.

Donald Trump doll
TypeDoll
CompanyStevenson Entertainment Group
CountryUnited States
AvailabilitySeptember 2004–
MaterialsPlastic
FeaturesDigital sound chip

During and after Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, various artists created their own Trump dolls, which included voodoo dolls and failed plans to produce Trump Troll dolls. FCTRY, a Brooklyn-based toy company, also launched their own Trump doll in 2016.

2004 doll

History

In February 2004, officials for Stevenson Entertainment Group LLC – a toy company based in Schaumburg, Illinois – attended an industry trade show in New York, where plans for a miniature Donald Trump figure were conceived.[1] Victor Btesh, the president of Hot Records was introduced to Hugo Stevenson by Marty Krofft of Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures. Btesh had reached out to Marty after reading that Michael Jackson was buying and collecting puppets from Krofft Brothers Saturday morning shows. Btesh wanted to rep Krofft for licensing opportunities, and Krofft asked Btesh to introduce Stevenson to friends in the toy industry. Btesh auditioned to be a contestant on the second season of Trump's reality television series, The Apprentice. Although Btesh did not qualify as a contestant, at the audition he met Donald Trump (while both were waiting to be interviewed by Billy Bush) and pitched the concept of a miniature Trump action figure to Donald Trump, who "loved the idea". Thanks to Btesh the deal was made between Stevenson Entertainment Group and The Trump Organization,[2][3] with Trump receiving an undisclosed amount of royalties from Stevenson Entertainment Group as part of a licensing agreement.[1][4]

During a business trip in Los Angeles in April 2004, Trump visited a studio hired by Stevenson so his entire head could be scanned, to aid the doll's sculptors.[1][4] The doll was announced on May 1, 2004.[2] Stevenson Entertainment Group planned to ship at least 100,000 dolls to U.S. toy chains and distributors in August 2004, with an expected nationwide release the following month. The dolls were meant to capitalize on the success of The Apprentice.[1] Trump considered the concept to be a "fun idea" as long as the doll would look and sound like him, while his spokesperson said, "Mr. Trump thinks that imitation is the highest form of flattery."[1]

The Trump doll was released on September 23, 2004,[5] at a price of $26.99.[6] Btesh's Hot Records sold one million dollar's in dolls to Staples, who were featured on season 2 of The Apprentice. Prior to its nationwide release, the doll was on Amazon.com's list of top-selling new action figures.[7] On September 29, 2004, Trump appeared at a marketing event held at a Toys "R" Us store in New York City's Times Square to promote the doll.[8][6][9] The dolls were manufactured in China.[3]

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Republican candidate Ted Cruz used the Trump doll in one of his ads against Donald Trump, who was also a candidate in the election.[10][11] According to BBC, many supporters of Trump's candidacy brought Trump dolls to his rallies.[12] Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update did a story on The Trump Doll, the story was read by Seth Meyers.

Description

The Trump doll, made of plastic,[13] is dressed in a navy blue suit and pants, both made of cotton.[5][6] The doll stands 12 inches tall,[5] and includes non-movable hair.[1] A digital sound chip is located in the doll's chest.[7] The doll includes 17 phrases,[6] which Trump recorded.[4][12] The phrases, activated by pressing a button,[14] consist of quotes used by Trump on The Apprentice and in his 2004 book, Trump: How to Get Rich.[3] Phrases include:

  • "This one's easy for me—you're fired."[1]
  • "I have no choice but to tell you you're fired."[13]
  • "I should fire myself just for having you around."[6]
  • "You really screwed up!"[12]
  • "You really think you're a good leader? I don't."[5]
  • "Stay focused."[14][6]
  • "That was a tough one."[13]
  • "Think big and live large."[13]
  • "Have an ego. There's nothing wrong with ego."[5]
  • "Brand yourself and toot your own horn."[5]

Reception

Trump called the doll's hair "fantastic!" but said he was "not a fan of the suit."[6] The New York Daily News noted that the doll included "a very un-Trump-like suit made of less than the finest wool."[5] St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote, "Looking much younger and trimmer than Trump, the extremely flexible plastic 'likeness' of the rich businessman and TV personality resembles George W. Bush more than the face of 'The Apprentice.'"[13] In December 2004, Stevenson Entertainment Group stated that the dolls were selling well.[3]

Other dolls

In December 2004, a one-of-a-kind Donald Trump Cabbage Patch Kid was created and autographed by Trump before being auctioned on eBay, with the revenue going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[15][16][17] In September 2016, Brooklyn-based toy company FCTRY launched pre-sales for a Trump doll which depicted him with a raised middle finger.[18][19][20] In November 2016, anonymous Syrian artist Saint Hoax created images depicting the fictional Trumpette fashion doll, "inspired by all the sexist things Donald Trump has said." Trump is depicted as a female doll in the images, which include comments he has made about women.[21]

Sally Noedel, an artist in Bainbridge Island, Washington, began making and selling seven-inch-tall Trump voodoo dolls in December 2015. Noedel stated that the dolls are sold as a joke and not meant to be taken seriously. According to Noedel, sales increased after Trump was elected as U.S. president in November 2016.[22][23] In February 2017, a Wisconsin sculptor, Chuck Williams, created a Trump Troll doll and solicited $38,000 through Kickstarter to mass-manufacture the doll. Within a week, Williams had earned over $160,000 from more than 3,600 people.[24][25] Plans to manufacture the dolls were ended in March 2017, after NBCUniversal, the copyright holders of the Troll dolls, pursued legal action.[25] In November 2017, Filipino artist Elmer Padilla created a Trump doll out of flip-flops.[26]

See also

References
  1. Chang, Rita (July 19, 2004). "Local toymaker to debut diminutive Donald". Chicago Business. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  2. Poole, Dave (May 1, 2004). "No Business Like Trump's Business". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2017 – via NewsLibrary.
  3. Singer, Glenn (December 13, 2004). "The Donald's All Dolled Up". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  4. Vincent, Roger (July 20, 2004). "Mattel's Profit Jumps 12% Despite Barbie Troubles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  5. Martinez, Jose (September 24, 2004). "1-Liner, 'You're Tired' Mini-Trump is mouthy, grating". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  6. "Donald Trump approves of Trump doll". United Press International. September 30, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  7. Blair, Gwenda (2005). Donald Trump: Master Apprentice. Simon & Schuster. pp. ix–xI (preface), 225. ISBN 0743275101. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  8. Degross, Renee (September 29, 2004). "Real estate, TV and now, a doll". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  9. "Donald Trump Launches Talking Trump Doll". Getty Images. September 29, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  10. Hafner, Josh (February 10, 2016). "Trump action figure debuts in new Cruz ad: 'He pretends to be a Republican!'". USA Today. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  11. Fierberg, Emma (February 10, 2016). "Ted Cruz's new Donald Trump action-figure ad looks like something out of 'Saturday Night Live'". Business Insider. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  12. "The official Donald Trump merchandise that actually exists". BBC. January 19, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  13. Carlson Gustafson, Amy (February 9, 2005). "Poplife". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  14. "Ego not included". The Dallas Morning News. February 13, 2005. Retrieved November 16, 2017 – via NewsLibrary.
  15. ""The Donald" Hires A Very Special Mini "Apprentice" Direct From The Cabbage Patch". Business Wire. December 13, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  16. "The Donald Up for Sale". The Cincinnati Post. December 14, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017 – via NewsLibrary.
  17. "In The Know". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. December 26, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017 – via NewsLibrary.
  18. Corbett, Erin (September 1, 2016). "This Politically Incorrect Donald Trump Doll Is Yours For The Taking". Bustle. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  19. Farber, Madeline (September 1, 2016). "This Donald Trump Action Figure Is Being Made for a Very Un-Trump Reason". Fortune. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  20. Ellefson, Lindsey (February 6, 2017). "Toy Company Behind Successful Trump Action Figure Announces 100% of Proceeds Now Go To ACLU". Mediaite. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  21. Cohen, Claire (November 1, 2016). "Artist turns Donald Trump into a fashion doll inspired by all his vile sexist comments". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  22. Green, Josh (May 25, 2016). "Bainbridge artist sells Trump voodoo dolls". KING-TV. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  23. "Donald Trump voodoo doll sales are surging". AOL. November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  24. Jagannathan, Meera (February 22, 2017). "Naked President Trump troll doll rakes in quadruple its Kickstarter goal". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  25. Neubeck, Kyle (March 11, 2017). "Amazing Trump Troll Doll Kickstarter Stopped by NBC Universal Lawsuit". Complex. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  26. Barron, Laignee (November 9, 2017). "An Artist Made a Donald Trump Action Figure Out of Old Flip Flops. It's Amazing". Time. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
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