Trump Vodka
 Promotional image | |
| Type | Vodka |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Drinks Americas |
| Introduced | 2005 |
| Discontinued | 2011 (in the United States) |
| Related products | List of vodkas |
Trump Vodkawas an American brand ofvodkaproduced at first in theNetherlands,then later inGermanybyDrinks Americasunder license fromthe Trump Organization.[1]The brand was launched in the United States in 2005, but ceased production under the Trump name in 2011 when it failed to meet the required threshold for distribution. However, it is still sold inIsrael,especially around theJewish holidayofPassover.[2]
History
[edit]In 2005,Drinks Americassigned withDonald Trumpto promote a new brand of vodka which became known as Trump Vodka.[3]The brand was launched with the slogan "Success Distilled", with Trump predicting it would outsellGrey Goosevodka.[4]He also said that when mixed withtonic,which he referred to as a "Trump & Tonic" (T&T), it would become the most drunk cocktail in the United States.[4]In 2007, Drinks Americas signed a deal to export 50,000 cases of Trump Vodka annually to Russia.[5]
The Trump Vodka brand was discontinued in the United States in 2011 due to sales failing to meet the company threshold requirements.[2][6]Several reasons were attributed for this. One was because Trump himself is anon-drinkerand never drank Trump Vodka, as he blamed alcohol for the death of his brotherFred Trump, Jr.[7]Drinks Americas also had problems producing it because the glass used in the bottles and thegold leaflabels were expensive and the company could not afford to produce them in large numbers.[7]In 2015, duringhis campaign for president,Trump did not include Trump Vodka amongst assets submitted to theFederal Election Committee.[8]
Lawsuits
[edit]Drinks Americas was subject to several lawsuits surrounding Trump Vodka.Bruni Glasssued over unpaid bills and, consequently, melted 500,000 Trump Vodka mini-bottles ready for shipment.[7]Donald Trump also sued Drinks Americas for unpaid royalties, but the case was dismissed for lack ofsubject matter jurisdiction.[9]
Israel
[edit]Trump Vodka started being sold unofficially in Israel by H. Pixel International based on a signed deal with Drinks Americas, but Trump brought a lawsuit against the company for copyright infringement, as they did not have his agreement to use his image in advertising or the brand.[10][11]However, Trump later dropped the lawsuit and signed a deal with H. Pixel International to allow them to sell Trump Vodka in Israel.[12]
Despite the failures in the United States, Trump Vodka found a level of popularity in Israel. This was because it was a popular choice aroundPassoverfor both secular andOrthodox Jews,as the vodka was made frompotatoesand not grain, thus satisfyingkosherfor Passover dietary laws.[2]However, some Trump Vodka produced in 2013 was found to containleavened ingredients,making it unsuitable for consumption during Passover.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Timm, Jane C. (2018-07-23)."Trump event touted 'made in America' goods. A lot of his merchandise couldn't be featured".NBC News.Retrieved2019-08-08.
- ^abcWeinglass, Simona (18 March 2016)."Unloved elsewhere, how Trump Vodka immigrated to Israel".The Times of Israel.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^Whitehead, Chris (2 December 2005)."This sure is a swell party, say most of us".Chicago Sun-Times.Archived fromthe originalon 11 September 2016.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^abWebley, Kayla (2011-04-29)."Trump Vodka".TIME.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^"Drinks Americas Expands Trump Super Premium Vodka to Russia 50,000 Case Annual Minimum Contract With Major Distributor, 10,000 Case Initial Trump Vodka Order for $1.5 Million for Shipment in Early 2008".CNN. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-09-11.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^Johnston, Garth (2011-04-19)."Donald Trump Upset Over Illicit Israeli Trump Vodka".Gothamist. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-07-20.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^abcAbelson, Max (2016-04-20)."On the Rocks: The Story of Trump Vodka".Bloomberg.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^Haddon, Heather (2016-03-03)."What Ever Happened to Trump Shuttle, Trump Steaks, Trump Vodka?".Wall Street Journal.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^Trump Marks LLC v. D.T. Drinks, LLC et al,2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76844(subscription required)(S.D.N.Y. July 15, 2011).
- ^Elis, Niv (7 April 2016)."Exclusive: Some Trump Vodka, popular as kosher for Passover spirit, may not be kosher".The Jerusalem Post.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^"Donald Trump sues Israeli co selling" Trump Vodka "".Globes English. 2011-04-14.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^""Kosher" Trump Vodka lands in hot water ".CBS News. 2016-04-08.Retrieved2016-07-31.
- ^Alemany, Jaqueline (2016-04-08).""Kosher" Trump Vodka lands in hot water ".CBS News.Retrieved2016-07-31.