Republican National Convention Vendors Not Allowed to Sell Items with 'Trump' Name

Turns out Donald Trump isn't so generous in giving out his $3 billion brand for free at the RNC, even though he's headlining the event.
By Emily Stewart ,

CLEVELAND (TheStreet) -- When it comes to the Republican National Convention, official vendors outside the arena are NeverTrump.

From t-shirts to nail files, water bottles and ties, stands are selling all sorts of gear, knickknacks and memorabilia outside the Republican National Convention. One thing buyers won't see on many items: the "Trump" name. It's not allowed.

Official vendors at the Freedom Plaza Marketplace outside the Quicken Loans Arena here in Cleveland are barred from selling anything bearing Donald Trump's name. It appears as though Trump, who has in the past estimated his Trump brand is worth $3 billion, isn't interested in giving out licensing agreements for free.

"We were in a panic," said Ann Sachs Mulholland of Mulholland & Sachs, a local business with a booth in the marketplace, recalling when she received the news no Trump-branded items would be allowed. She is selling a wide variety of items at the conference, including buttons, pillows and magnets, and was also commissioned by the Cleveland organizing committee six months ago to produce the official RNC pins (pictured above).

Amparo Vega, a former police officer who is now the owner of the Original Cleveland Watch Company, which also has a stand at the RNC marketplace, said she figured trying to secure licensing rights for the Trump brand would be a little bit too pricey for her budget. "You'd have to buy it from him and I'm sure it would be outrageous," she said.

Timmy Woods, who flew in from Los Angeles for the convention, appeared to be bending the rules a bit at her booth featuring bejeweled handbags. Front and center is placed a bag that reads "Trump '16." But according to Woods, it's just for show.

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She says she plans to give the item to the presumptive Republican nominee's wife, Melania Trump, who is set to speak at the Republican Convention this evening. If it doesn't work out, she can always sell it -- it's just $2,200 -- but not at official Freedom Plaza Marketplace, of course. (If you love freedom but Trump not as much, you can also buy the White House-replica purse she has displayed behind the Trump bag. Covered in Swarovski crystals, its price is $6,500.)

Representatives from the organizing committee and the RNC did not immediately return request for comment on why no Trump-branded items were allowed. The only items bearing his $3 billion name are official RNC t-shirts, signs and buttons that were sold inside the arena -- and by unsanctioned vendors outside.

All photos credit: Emily Stewart

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