Trump plays Oprah with shoe gifting splurge: ‘everybody’s afraid not to wear them’
In an era when most political perks come in the form of policy influence or prime office space, President Donald Trump has reportedly introduced a far more personal White House tradition: handing out shoes.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the president has been gifting leather oxford dress shoes to aides, agency chiefs, lawmakers, and other high-profile figures orbiting the administration. The footwear of choice? Reliable, classic pairs from the long-standing American brand Florsheim.
The shoe-giving ritual has apparently become so routine that the president sometimes checks in on recipients during cabinet meetings.
“Did you get the shoes?” Trump has been known to ask his department heads.
The shoes themselves aren’t luxury showpieces. In fact, many pairs from Florsheim retail for roughly $150—relatively modest by Washington standards, particularly considering the president’s well-known taste for upscale fashion such as Brioni suits and signature long red ties.
Still, inside the White House, the shoes have taken on a life of their own.
“All of the boys have them,” one female White House official told the Journal.
Another insider joked about the unspoken expectation surrounding the gifts: “It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”
The shoe-gifting routine often begins with the president doing what he does best: sizing people up.
The Journal reported that Trump sometimes tries to guess a person’s shoe size right in front of them. Once he makes the call, an aide is instructed to place an order. About a week later, a familiar brown shoe box arrives at the White House.
Inside? A fresh pair of oxfords.
Sometimes the president even adds a personal flourish—signing the box or attaching a handwritten note thanking the recipient.
The idea reportedly began late last year when Trump, 79, started searching for footwear that would stay comfortable during long days on the job. After settling on Florsheim, he liked the shoes enough to start sharing the discovery with others. And unlike many Washington perks, the footwear reportedly isn’t charged to taxpayers. The White House says Trump pays for the shoes himself.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the president has been gifting leather oxford dress shoes to aides, agency chiefs, lawmakers, and other high-profile figures orbiting the administration. The footwear of choice? Reliable, classic pairs from the long-standing American brand Florsheim.
The shoe-giving ritual has apparently become so routine that the president sometimes checks in on recipients during cabinet meetings.
“Did you get the shoes?” Trump has been known to ask his department heads.
The shoes themselves aren’t luxury showpieces. In fact, many pairs from Florsheim retail for roughly $150—relatively modest by Washington standards, particularly considering the president’s well-known taste for upscale fashion such as Brioni suits and signature long red ties.
Still, inside the White House, the shoes have taken on a life of their own.
“All of the boys have them,” one female White House official told the Journal.
Another insider joked about the unspoken expectation surrounding the gifts: “It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”
The shoe-gifting routine often begins with the president doing what he does best: sizing people up.
The Journal reported that Trump sometimes tries to guess a person’s shoe size right in front of them. Once he makes the call, an aide is instructed to place an order. About a week later, a familiar brown shoe box arrives at the White House.
Inside? A fresh pair of oxfords.
Sometimes the president even adds a personal flourish—signing the box or attaching a handwritten note thanking the recipient.
The idea reportedly began late last year when Trump, 79, started searching for footwear that would stay comfortable during long days on the job. After settling on Florsheim, he liked the shoes enough to start sharing the discovery with others. And unlike many Washington perks, the footwear reportedly isn’t charged to taxpayers. The White House says Trump pays for the shoes himself.
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