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BumRushDaShow

(171,432 posts)
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 08:11 AM Apr 7

Trump Merch Store Closes Few Months After Opening, Owner Blames Poor Sales to POTUS' War With Iran

Source: msn/International Business Times

12h


The neon signs and vibrant banners of the Trump Truth Store in Crystal Lake signalled a new era of retail enthusiasm for the MAGA movement. Instead, the suburban Chicago shop has temporarily closed its doors a few months after its launch. Owner Lisa Fleischmann attributed the decision to low sales linked to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Local supporters initially flocked to the storefront, but the atmosphere shifted as international headlines dominated the domestic agenda. The conflict has left the shop empty, highlighting how quickly the political climate can affect small-scale commerce.

'It All Started With the War'

Fleischmann believes the war has created a sense of uncertainty that makes people hesitant to wear their support on their sleeves. According to her, months after launching her business, her sales dropped, and she could not even cover 50 per cent of her rent. "Sales were really slow. It all started with the war. It was dead as a door nail the minute that happened,' she told Chicago Tribune.

She suggested the conflict has divided the MAGA base, with some traditional supporters uneasy about the human and economic costs. Fleischmann said potential customers avoided merchandise for fear of questions about the administration's foreign policy. 'I think (customers) are unsure what's going on. Not everyone. But I think a majority of people are unsure what's going on... And if you wear it, they feel someone might come up to them and ask them questions,' Fleischmann explained.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/general/trump-merch-store-closes-few-months-after-opening-owner-blames-poor-sales-to-potus-war-with-iran/ar-AA20iSgp

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Trump Merch Store Closes Few Months After Opening, Owner Blames Poor Sales to POTUS' War With Iran (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 7 OP
Pity. QueerDuck Apr 7 #1
Live by the Trump; die by the Trump. Intractable Apr 7 #2
Her store is a metaphor for the whole maga movement, possibly the whole country Walleye Apr 7 #3
"...they feel someone might come up to them and ask them questions" William Seger Apr 7 #4
Shame is the beginning of wisdom. Amethyst Ring Apr 7 #5
Well said orangecrush Apr 7 #10
Not enough dumbasses left for patronage, I guess. mdbl Apr 7 #6
She can heat her home when the oil runs out. C_U_L8R Apr 7 #7
I'm surprised she didn't blame Biden or Obama. Ray Bruns Apr 7 #8
... orangecrush Apr 7 #9
Not possible to care less lonely bird Apr 7 #11
Tiny violin playing. niyad Apr 7 #12
Yes benfranklin1776 Apr 7 #21
Asking questions of MAGA seems pointless Soul_of_Wit Apr 7 #13
It's hard to muster any sympathy... GiqueCee Apr 7 #14
i love at a lot of estate sales online + i see a lot of his worthless shit. bet as bad as beanie babies to sell. pansypoo53219 Apr 7 #15
He's damaged his brand. surfered Apr 7 #16
It will be interesting if she declares bankruptcy in the next few moments kimbutgar Apr 7 #17
It will be discounted on Amazon, maybe? FakeNoose Apr 7 #19
Oh...so sad purr-rat beauty Apr 7 #18
Hitch your wagon to a lead balloon, you go down fast. Talitha Apr 7 #20
Hey lady, sometimes the Free Market ain't what it's cracked up to be! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Apr 7 #22
It's possible that the first month Figarosmom Apr 7 #23

William Seger

(12,525 posts)
4. "...they feel someone might come up to them and ask them questions"
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 08:32 AM
Apr 7

Like, "What is WRONG with you!? How could you be so fucking stupid?!"

Amethyst Ring

(53 posts)
5. Shame is the beginning of wisdom.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 08:37 AM
Apr 7

Being ashamed of poor choices, rather than proud of them, is a path to wisdom for the MAGA believers.

I wish them speedy growth toward their humanity.

lonely bird

(3,000 posts)
11. Not possible to care less
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 09:33 AM
Apr 7

The only people allowed to profit from the grifting is Trump and his family.

benfranklin1776

(7,026 posts)
21. Yes
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:15 PM
Apr 7


A veritable symphony of them playing the “too bad, too sad NOT” anthem for the self-serving, self owning, people like her.

Soul_of_Wit

(122 posts)
13. Asking questions of MAGA seems pointless
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 10:43 AM
Apr 7

I'm more likely to thank them for self-identifying. The alternative is simply laughing at them. On a charitable day, I might pity their gullibility.

GiqueCee

(4,559 posts)
14. It's hard to muster any sympathy...
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 10:53 AM
Apr 7

... for those who consistently deny the reality of Trump's malicious nature. He's even told crowds of adoring sycophants, "I don't care about you; I just want your votes!" And the idiots cheered. They are beyond hope or redemption.
And the sad fact is, they admire him because they're just like him: Meaner than a snake, pathologically selfish, and fundamentally dishonest. They just didn't have the wealth to enable the horrific depravity and humiliation on the scale that the Orange Shitgibbon so delights in inflicting on those around him.
I will rejoice when he's dead.

pansypoo53219

(23,135 posts)
15. i love at a lot of estate sales online + i see a lot of his worthless shit. bet as bad as beanie babies to sell.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:02 AM
Apr 7

kimbutgar

(27,453 posts)
17. It will be interesting if she declares bankruptcy in the next few moments
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 11:14 AM
Apr 7

Because she can’t make money off her worthless maga shite. That said, who would wear a maga hat if we get in WW3 and the USA gets bombed also !

FakeNoose

(42,093 posts)
19. It will be discounted on Amazon, maybe?
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 12:14 PM
Apr 7

I know that MAGA cultists shop on Amazon because they leave horrid reviews for any books written by liberals.

purr-rat beauty

(1,365 posts)
18. Oh...so sad
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 12:11 PM
Apr 7

WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP

Figarosmom

(12,870 posts)
23. It's possible that the first month
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:40 PM
Apr 7

Or so of being opened exhausted the supply of customers. It's not like they'd get many repeat customers in a business like that. They over estimated the need side of the equation. Not enough customer base to support a store in Crystal Lake.

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