back to article Make Christmas Great Again: $149 24-karat gold* Trump tree ornament

President-elect Donald Trump's online shop has released a tremendous ornament, the best ornament, for Christmas trees. Costing "just" $149, the bauble is officially described as a Red Cap Collectible Ornament, and it is very collectable. People are telling us how collectible it is. Potential purchasers are encouraged to "get …

  1. Vimes

    Looks like with a little care somebody could come up with a cut-out design that could be printed out from a colour printer and folded together. It might not be shiny but then the gold content on the real one isn't that high anyway. And make the document freely downloadable.

    Oh, and change the caption on the hat to 'Make Donald Drumpf Again' too...

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Great idea. With glossy photo paper, it might be shiny enough. I wonder if the Donald would be mean enough to go after you for copyright infringement if you did that?

    2. NoneSuch Silver badge
      FAIL

      "Made in Vietnam"

    3. Bloakey1

      ahh but would it be "collectible"?

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Conclusive proof

    Having large amounts of money doesn't necessarily mean that you have good taste.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Conclusive proof

      It is a conclusive proof of something else.

      That the president elect has no intention of divorcing his business interests from his persona for the duration and will milk his success to feed clan Lanister till kingdom come.

      Actually, kingdom has come. All - celebrate.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Conclusive proof

        NOT Clan Lanister! "A Lanister Pays his Debts!"

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          NOT Clan Lanister! "A Lanister Pays his Debts!"

          You posted that little gem as AC? Whats the matter with you?

          If it was me, my name would be all over it.

          1. Scott 53
            Headmaster

            Re: NOT Clan Lanister! "A Lanister Pays his Debts!"

            "You posted that little gem as AC? Whats the matter with you?"

            Cant spell Lannister, for one thing.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Conclusive proof

        yes, unlike the Clitorall Hinny, he never disguised the fact that making dosh was a hobby.

        well get one. in ten year it will be worthless in 50 years priceless..like all this Charles and Di mugs

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Conclusive proof

          It is a bit unsettling that Don wants to keep making money legally, rather than just stealing it like the other politicians.

          1. Geoffrey W

            Re: Conclusive proof

            RE: "It is a bit unsettling that Don wants to keep making money legally, rather than just stealing it like the other politicians."

            Oh, he'll do that too. He just expanded his opportunities and you can be sure he will take full advantage of them.

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              Re: Conclusive proof

              I'm sorry, but I can't take your word for it that Trump will be corrupt as Prexy. You will have to have some shred of evidence first. After all, he's NOT a Democrat.

              1. Mark 85
                Trollface

                Re: Conclusive proof

                How about precedent? Name one politician in the last 50 years that wasn't corrupt? I can't think of any.

                1. Anonymous Coward
                  Anonymous Coward

                  Re: Conclusive proof

                  "Name one politician in the last 50 years that wasn't corrupt? I can't think of any."

                  I can, but probably just because my memory is better.

                  1. Mark 85

                    Re: Conclusive proof

                    Have an upvote. You're probably right. There probably are a couple. Would any of them be at the Federal level?

                    1. Anonymous Coward
                      Anonymous Coward

                      Re: Conclusive proof

                      How many past presidents were elected as a billionaire (or equivalent)? Let me just wiki that...

                      Well, it appears that Trump is far and away the wealthiest person ever elected prexy. That speaks against theories he's susceptible to money corruption; He's not, unless he's stupid as a box of rocks.

                      What I find interesting on that page is how wealthy the 20th century Democrats were. Republicans were mostly paupers by comparison.

                      1. Vimes

                        Re: Conclusive proof

                        That speaks against theories he's susceptible to money corruption

                        Seriously?

                        Do you honestly think there would be no temptation to follow certain courses of action as President if doing so appears to benefit his business interests?

                        He's not, unless he's stupid as a box of rocks.

                        ...or thinks the laws don't apply to him?

                        Some of what he has been quoted as saying (“The law’s totally on my side, meaning, the president can’t have a conflict of interest”) sounds very Nixonian in my opinion and doesn't bode well for the future either.

                      2. dan1980

                        Re: Conclusive proof

                        @Big John

                        Obviously, this thread is getting away from the ornament itself (meh), but I have always wondered at the assertion that Trump being very wealthy is proof that he can't/won't be swayed by financial interests.

                        Personally, I don't have too strong an opinion one way or the other. BUT, I think it should be patently obvious that an equally valid argument can be made that someone like Trump got so rich be valuing financial reward very highly.

                        Whenever he has been challenged with his alleged business failures, these have been re-framed to show how smart he is at making money. It is a matter of fact that investors in certain of Trump's ventures have lost rather a lot of money while Trump protected himself or actually made money.

                        This may indeed be very clever, business-wise. But it does not go to show that his wealth makes him not care about financial benefits.

                        So, while I understand the argument that Trump's existing wealth is evidence that he won't seek wealth as President, the converse cannot be discounted: that he will seek to enrich himself while president because his life has been the pursuit of exactly that.

                        1. Prst. V.Jeltz Silver badge

                          Re: Conclusive proof

                          re Dan

                          "Personally, I don't have too strong an opinion one way or the other. BUT, I think it should be patently obvious that an equally valid argument can be made that someone like Trump got so rich be valuing financial reward very highly."

                          Trump once said that he's not interested in money, its just a way of keeping score. (he was in a conversation about some rival billionaire) . Its his Vanity that will probably make him a bad president.

                          hmm. or will it make him shut up, listen to advisors and get through it quietly just so he can say "see? i didnt screw up"

                      3. Flocke Kroes Silver badge

                        Re: Conclusive proof

                        Thanks for the link to Presidents by net worth. "Republicans paupers by comparison": I get average 20th century Republican $437.4M, average 20th century Democrat: $45.7M. If we take out Donald and the richest Democrat: $31.1M and $36.8M. If we just rank them, an average Republican is 9.1th on the list, and an average Democrat is 10.2th. If find it interesting that your link does not support your claims.

                        Normal people have a limit for wealth. At some point, they have enough money for the whole family to live in style. At that point, they switch from accumulating wealth to enjoying wealth. Billionaires shoot straight past that limit and keep going and going. For a billionaire, money is a way to keep score. I consider Donald being a billionaire strong evidence that he will use the presidency to line his pockets. If you want more evidence, Trump University, Trump Casino Bankruptcies, Trump's deals in Cuba, paying the Pam Bondi bribe from the Trump Foundation, using campaign funds to run his jet (a charter flight would have been cheaper) and holding campaign events in Trump Hotels (for which he charged the campaign and the secret service hefty prices).

                        Donald's transition team does not look like draining the swamp. It looks like a 747 full of giant alligators. The next steps to dictatorship are strengthening the libel laws followed by appointing special persecutors to harass everyone who ever said things about him that he didn't like. There is only so much corruption one man can do with a busy schedule of rallies. The bulk of the corruption will be delegated to his appointees. The only limit on their activities will be the price of a presidential pardon.

                        1. Anonymous Coward
                          Headmaster

                          Re: Conclusive proof

                          "I get average 20th century Republican $437.4M, average 20th century Democrat: $45.7M. "

                          So, you lump in the 21st century presidents (to get your desired result), but you state the sample is the "20th century," twice!

                          Too bad you fooked it up royally, FK. All you had to say was "...including Trump" but I guess that would have given it away?

                          ;-)

                    2. Anonymous Coward
                      Anonymous Coward

                      Re: Conclusive proof

                      "Would any of them be at the Federal level?"

                      Well, if you are considering Senators as Federal. Ex- Senators. Some dead. Takes a good memory to go back that far........

                      As for the current crop - well, I'm always willing to be pleasantly surprised.

                2. Trevor_Pott Gold badge

                  Re: Conclusive proof

                  "Name one politician in the last 50 years that wasn't corrupt? I can't think of any."

                  I can think of about a dozen, off the top of my head, but they're all Canadian. In the US? Sanders, probably. Maaaaayyyyyyyyyyybe Wyden. Maybe.

              2. Anonymous Coward
                Anonymous Coward

                Re: Conclusive proof

                "I'm sorry, but I can't take your word for it that Trump will be corrupt as Prexy. You will have to have some shred of evidence first."

                Kind of hard to have evidence of what will happen in the future. I know if I did, I wouldn't be posting here, I'd be investing in pork bellies whenever it looks like it would make me money.

                Perhaps Mr Trump should be allowed to actually take office, and then be berated or praised on his performance? And perhaps Chester Arthur, Tammany Hall protege, shows that people can surprise you when they do take this office.

    2. Vimes

      Re: Conclusive proof

      Having large amounts of money doesn't necessarily mean that you have good taste.

      No, *THIS* is conclusive proof:

      http://www.japantimes.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/p3-johnston-view-from-osaka-a-20161120.jpg

      Ever get the feeling he's trying to overcompensate for something?

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Conclusive proof

      If you have large amounts of money you can buy the best taste ever.

    4. Tom Paine
      Facepalm

      Re: Conclusive proof

      No shit.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    That looks like the sort of thing you'd see people wearing on TV programmes in (very) gay clubs.

    1. DrXym

      Only a Liberace themed one.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Hey, maybe Don has a fabulous side we don't know about.

    3. You aint sin me, roit

      I don't think Elton John will be wearing one...

      http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/arts/music/no-elton-john-will-not-perform-at-the-trump-inauguration.html?_r=0

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Something just isn't right

    Shouldn't the hat brim be facing backwards?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Something just isn't right

      It is. The photo was taken from the back.

  5. Scott 53

    As for the vulval baubles

    All together now

    "Oh fannybaum, oh fannybaum..."

  6. Vimes

    http://boingboing.net/2016/11/24/funny-reivews-pile-up-for-dona.html

    "It called Mary a nasty woman, told Joseph to go back where he came from, built a wall around the manger, and then when you press it it sings "I'm Dreaming Of A Totally White Christmas."

  7. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

    "Ordinary Americans can't afford it... "

    What do you mean? It only takes half a week* of work for ordinary Americans to earn the money.

    * Unless Google lied to me: current minimum wage 7.25 USD per hour. 149/7.25=20.55 hours. From a rightpondian perspective, that's half a week of work. YMMV.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      It only takes half a week* of work for ordinary Americans to earn the money.

      I don't think the average wage for the ordinary worker in the US is the minimum wage.

      At least, I hope not.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: It only takes half a week* of work for ordinary Americans to earn the money.

        Depends on your definition of 'average'.

        (remember "mode, median and mean" from primary school?)

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      You forgot to include the average outgoings. Hint: the term 'working poor' is not an oxymoron.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Amazon reports that the item sold out in hours. Speculators, probably.

      Funny tho, at Trump Tower they can't keep the real hats in stock either. In fact the crowds of yokels pressing forward to buy Trump are so bothersome that other nearby businesses (like Tiffany's) are allegedly complaining a bit. I seriously doubt they are too upset tho, at huge crowds of out-of-towners surging past their doors.

  8. IHateWearingATie

    Do they deliver overseas I wonder? A little steep, but it may be worth it to sneak it on to the Christmas tree in The Guardian's offices to troll them a little :)

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not a tech angle in it, but it does at least gratuitously bash Trump.

    Slow day at the Reg I guess.

    1. Lord Elpuss Silver badge

      Microns.

      1. Alistair
        Joke

        @Lord Elpuss

        Careful there or Trump will be banning those micron immigrants till we can figure this out.

        *cough*

        <icon, just in case perceptions are off>

    2. MrDamage Silver badge

      It's posted under Bootnotes

      You know, the section of the site for reserved for non-tech stories such as this.

      But then again, being a Drumpf supporter, you obviously don't perform any critical thinking, or research for yourself.

      1. revdjenk

        Re: It's posted under Bootnotes

        Hob-nail Bootnotes?

    3. Geoffrey W

      It uses Trumps own words and idiom to report what he is actually doing. Might as well say Trump bashes Trump.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Nellie the Elephant Packed Her Trunk and Said Goodbye to the Circus

        "Might as well say Trump bashes Trump."

        Trump's trumps trump Trump?

  10. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    > "But then again, being a Drumpf supporter, you obviously don't perform any critical thinking, or research for yourself."

    And yet you yourself insist on changing someone's actual name, the better to (supposedly) ridicule him.

    Or am I thinking too critically now?

    PS - I admit I did not see the Bootnotes label, my bad. So it's perfectly legit to mindlessly bash Trump in that section I suppose.

    1. Stork Silver badge

      Drumpf was the grandfathers name

      AFAIR - so it is fair enough for reminding someone hounding economic migrants that his ancestors were exactly that. Not that I think he notices, I think he mainly listens to himself...

      1. MonkeyCee

        Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

        Neither Trump nor Farage are anti-immigrant. Both their politics and personal life clearly show that.

        They are against the "wrong sort" of immigrant. White ladies with careers who like wealthy douche bags are perfectly acceptable, even if they flout working visas.

        Since they are usually clueless about what sort of person migrates, what age/gender they are, and their average economic contribution, because all their "good immigrants" tend to fall into the category of "immigrants".

        Both Farage and Trump are quite keenly aware that the support they get for immigration stems from some mix of rascism/fear (yeah, yeah, you're not racists, just on their side) and mainly from changes to jobs. But they can't promise to return jobs, since that would require workers to be more productive than the Germans or cheaper than the Chinese.

        The democrats are not any better. They don't have any real answers to the jobs question other than than education, and tend to just ignore the states and districts where the industry is gone and isn't coming back.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

          "Neither Trump nor Farage are anti-immigrant. Both their politics and personal life clearly show that."

          I'm sure some of their best friends are Syrian immigrants.

        2. Vimes

          Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

          Neither Trump nor Farage are anti-immigrant. Both their politics and personal life clearly show that.

          You just had one advocating the building of a wall to stop immigration, and the other posing in front of a giant billboard showing a poster eerily similar to ones shown in Nazi Germany. Nothing anti-immigrant about that all. Nope. Nothing...

          They are against the "wrong sort" of immigrant.

          You mean Muslims? Wasn't Trump supporting the idea of implementing a registry of them at one point? I'm only surprised they're not going to be forced to wear yellow crescents.

          For that matter, when it comes to the 'wrong sort' of immigrant, does anybody else think it's rich of Farage to complain about of freedom of movement? He's given up on dealing with the clusterfuck he helped create so now he decides to take advantage of that freedom himself and bugger off to the US.

          1. gnasher729 Silver badge

            Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

            "You mean Muslims? Wasn't Trump supporting the idea of implementing a registry of them at one point? I'm only surprised they're not going to be forced to wear yellow crescents."

            You should have read the full post. The "wrong kind of immigrant" is everyone other than white women who agree to getting married to douchebags.

        3. tiggity Silver badge

          Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

          Productive need not be a problem.

          Plenty of reports that the Nissan plant in Sunderland is the most productive in Europe.

          Maybe the generally crap UK productivity is linked to all the dismal layers of inept management rather than the people at the sharp end who are typically stuck having to do what they are told or be out on their ear.

      2. CrazyOldCatMan Silver badge

        Re: Drumpf was the grandfathers name

        someone hounding economic migrants that his ancestors were exactly that

        A bit like the irony of Farage being born in a family that were Huguenot refugees a couple of hundred years ago..

    2. Dr_N

      The Drumpf thing came about because Trump made remarks about Jon Stewart using a stage name instead of his real (Jewish) name.

      Stewart himself just labelled Trump, "Fuckface von Clownstick."

      It was John Oliver's team who did the research showing Trump's family had changed their name.

  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    trump style

    Best I have heard describing Trump brand style is it's what a poor person daydreams its like being mega rich. Which is weird because Trump is the definition of being born on third and thinking he hit a triple. Guess he really knows his marks.

  12. Kevin McMurtrie Silver badge

    Wait until it's in position for a while

    Gold plating starts out looking good but it promotes corruption...I mean, corrosion.

  13. roytrubshaw
    Headmaster

    President not elected yet

    <pedantry>

    It's just a small thing, but the electoral college doesn't meet to cast their votes until December 19th. (Actually they don't meet at all as far as I can tell.)

    Until then he is "president-designate", if anything at all.

    </pedantry>

  14. Anonymous Coward
    Gimp

    Question

    Am I correct in assuming that both the gold and the brass will be tarnished in some way??

    I, for one welcome our new orange overlords, even if his hair (on a windy day), DOES remind me of that infamous Cameron Diaz "hair gel" scene.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Am I correct in assuming that both the gold and the brass will be tarnished in some way??

      Assuming you're not talking about its reputation: Not the gold - it's resistance to tarnish and corrosion is what makes it so perfect for so many applications.

      I highly recommend keeping as much on hand as you can.

  15. Anonymous South African Coward Bronze badge

    Snowy fannies hanging from trees.

    Right, what's next?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Trees hanging from fannies?

  16. Mystic Megabyte
    Pirate

    Hostile takeover of the USA by Trump Org.

    I just saw this, it seems that Putin's plan has worked.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-latest-oath-president-us-norman-eisen-ethics-law-white-house-ivanka-a7436586.html

  17. Nameless Faceless Computer User

    It's ugly

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      So are most abstract paintings and a lot of the other kind too. Yet some of those alleged works of art sell for millions.

      1. Geoffrey W

        Big John, you do not have to be positive, or attempt a positive spin, about every single thing the great one does. He is not the messiah.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          You wound me. I have never been a big supporter of Trump. I've even made fun of his (alleged) hair on several occasions. My only goal in commenting so strongly is to act as a counterbalance to people like you who trash him at every opportunity. Someone has to do it, or innocents visiting El Reg will get the impression that the tech community are all Hillary ring-kissers.

          1. Geoffrey W

            Which brings us neatly back to your missing tech angle. Logic decrees that mocking or criticizing Trump does not automatically mean that the mocker is a Clinton supporter. Other potential deities exist. Sanders, for one, has a devoted following, though one suspects you are of a more libertarian bent. A libertarian troll, if you will for if your counterbalancing is not born of belief or ideals then its trolling. I'm more of a socialist troll, myself. Balance maintained.

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              I stand corrected. Let's just say I find the current wave of criticism toward Trump to be rather excessive, considering he's only just won the election. Propriety demands that people wait at least until inauguration day before jumping down his throat.

              Or is that not a thing anymore? And don't we already know all his negatives, thanks to the late race? I get the impression that those who don't like him are determined not to allow Trump even one second's grace. Is he so very evil then? Have we descended to the point where the opposition is not even allowed basic humanity?

              I don't remember that happening to this extent when Obama was elected. Perhaps some would have liked to do that, but the Media were too busy swooning at his feet to report anything at all negative either before or after Obama took the oath. Or any time since then, to be honest.

              But listen to many of them now and you start suspecting Trump has cloven hooves and the stench of sulphur about him. I don't see that the difference in tone has any foundation in reality, but only in partisanship. And sore-loser partisanship at that.

              1. Geoffrey W
                Angel

                My memories of Obama's first term differ from yours. While he was still president elect I recall republicans declaring they would make him a single term president by simply opposing whatever he did no matter what it was. I recall floods of hatred all over the internet and doctored images. I recall claims of non citizenship appearing in short order. I recall threats of second amendment solutions. I recall the local KKK confederate flag fliers stocking up on guns in preperation for the revolution that was just around the corner - I quote "That fucking N***** cant just come and steal our country."

                As for Trump. A man who ran a campaign based on denying the basic humanity of whole swathes of people cannot expect to have his own basic humanity respected. A man who mocked a critic, not for his opinions but for his parkinsons disease, cannot expect but to be mocked when he wears that on his head. Supporters who wore tee shirts saying "Fuck Your Feelings!" cannot expect to have their own feelings respected. They'll just have to live with what they sowed.

                I doubt either of us will ever sway the other so lets just agree to differ.

  18. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

    Knockers

    is that the word?

    24k sounds impressive, but it's the spray-on kind; underneath all the goldy shiny bits are pure brass... much like... ah, never mind.

  19. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

    Sorry, this item sold. You may also like:

    No, not the Trump thing, but the decorative vulva thing.

    If that doesn't grab non-Trump voting readers by the you-know-what, then maybe Feltmelon's decorative vulvas might.

POST COMMENT House rules

Not a member of The Register? Create a new account here.

  • Enter your comment

  • Add an icon

Anonymous cowards cannot choose their icon