Furious MAGA Supporters Claim They’ve Been ‘Scammed’ by Trump Watches
A wave of discontent is sweeping through the ranks of MAGA supporters who purchased Donald Trump watches, with many expressing their frustration. A significant number of reviews on Trustpilot for GetTrumpWatches reveal a dismal average rating of just one star, with numerous customers labeling the experience as a “scam.”
These timepieces, produced by TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC, are priced between $499 and $2,999 each, with the “Ultra Mega Collector Set” costing a staggering $5,389. The former president has faced backlash for promoting these watches on cable television while a government shutdown continues to affect healthcare funding.
A recent analysis by the Daily Beast of the Trustpilot profile for the company shows that 57% of the 30 customers who rated the watches at the time of the review gave them a single star, while an additional 3% awarded two stars. Trustpilot is recognized as one of the leading review platforms on the internet, although the Daily Beast cannot independently verify the authenticity of these complaints.
The overall rating of 2.8 stars suggests a troubling trend of over-promising and under-delivering. Customers have reported issues such as delays in delivery, items not arriving at all, and unresponsive customer service regarding refund requests.
Interestingly, many of the complaints seem to come from Trump supporters, despite the fact that Trump himself is not known for wearing watches. One disappointed customer lamented, “My daughters ordered a Trump watch and after five months of waiting, we have received nothing. It’s disappointing that this company does not uphold President Trump’s high standards. This was meant to be a gift for my 80th birthday!”
Another dissatisfied buyer, Timothy M. Reynolds, cautioned others on April 29, stating, “DO NOT order anything from these people.” Similarly, a reviewer identified as L.S. expressed frustration on March 21, saying, “They took my money and delivered nothing. It finally hit me that I was scammed. AVOID ORDERING ANYTHING FROM THESE PEOPLE.”
Michael, another customer, shared his experience just days earlier, stating, “No watch delivered. The ‘customer service’ is just endless lines of empty responses.”
The dissatisfaction isn’t confined to U.S. customers. Rainer Lüddeckens from Sweden posted on September 5, “Ordered a watch on July 10. Haven’t received it yet.” Meanwhile, Mike from Norway declared on June 7, “I plan to sue. This is a scam!”
On January 8, a Swiss customer named Lemme be Frank, from a country renowned for its watchmaking, wrote, “Absolutely terrible customer service. Do not buy any of these inferior products. Avoid them like the plague!”
The criticism from customers is particularly pointed given a past remark by Marco Rubio, Trump’s former secretary of state, who quipped in 2016, “If he hadn’t inherited $200 million, you know where Donald Trump would be right now? Selling watches in Manhattan.”
If the negative reviews are to be taken at face value, it seems that the 79-year-old’s venture into this market is not faring well.
The Daily Beast reached out to TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC for a comment on Saturday. An automated response indicated, “Please note that we may have received a large number of requests and may take additional time to respond.” Shortly after, the company thanked the Daily Beast for highlighting the customer complaints and stated that the issue had been escalated to their head of customer service for further action.
The next day, the head of customer service, identified only as Ryan, responded, claiming that the reviews were—what else—“fake” news. He asserted that “tens of thousands of satisfied customers have purchased Trump Watches” and mentioned that two of the upset reviewers had their issues resolved.
“On GetTrumpWatches.com, you can find real verified testimonials from people who love their TRUMP watches,” Ryan added, noting that none of the reviews on the website are less than five stars.
However, not all Trustpilot reviewers are dissatisfied. 33% of them awarded the watches five-star ratings. A U.S.-based reviewer named dsgreen wrote on July 31, “I LOVE IT! Even my jeweler said it feels like a Rolex.” Another American, Kathy Millard, described her watch on May 9 as “WELL WORTH THE WAIT,” while Greg praised the packaging and auto-wind movement after receiving his order just two days earlier.
Despite some positive feedback, a troubling pattern of high expectations, missed deadlines, and inconsistent explanations persists. One U.S. buyer, Terry Barber, reported that a limited-edition “Red” model he received on May 31 began gaining minutes weekly and has been in repair since July 28. He labeled the company as “horrible.”
Another reviewer claimed that a $2,999 order placed on January 3 faced repeated delays throughout the spring, despite requests for a refund.
In the fine print, the seller warns of extended lead times and “estimates only” for shipping, which may clarify why many complaints focus on timing and refunds.
TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC also emphasizes in its licensing agreement that it is not affiliated with the Trump Organization or any political campaign. They clarify, “Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, or any of their respective affiliates.”
While Trump appears in the television advertisements for the watches, which are also featured on the company’s website, there is no public disclosure regarding Trump’s financial stake in the venture.
In a move reminiscent of Trump’s controversial business history, the watches are marketed as “Swiss-made,” yet corporate records indicate a connection to a registered-agent address in a shopping center in Wyoming, not a Swiss workshop. The site’s FAQs do not specify a factory location, leaving the origin of manufacturing unclear in public materials.
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Trump’s television promotions for the watches, which advertised “Fight Fight Fight” models as collectible pieces of Trump history. This tone-deaf advertisement coincided with a critical moment when Obamacare subsidies are at risk during the federal government shutdown, with health policy research organization KFF estimating that average annual premiums for subsidized enrollees could rise by 114% if Congress fails to act.
Newsom responded with a social media post in a style reminiscent of Trump: “NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU BUT YOU MUST BUY MY WATCH!!”
Selling watches is just one of many quick-money schemes Trump has reportedly engaged in during his two terms as president. A New Yorker investigation estimated that by the end of his second term, Trump and his family could have amassed over $3.4 billion, primarily from deals and investments likely tied to his presidency.
Forbes estimates Trump’s wealth at approximately $7.3 billion, bringing the total family wealth close to $10 billion. The Trump Organization did not respond to a request for comment.
