Who Profits From Trump Watches? Inside the Business Behind the Brand

The launch of Trump Watches generated enormous attention across politics, luxury retail, and the watch industry. Marketed as premium collectible timepieces associated with Donald Trump, the watches quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity merchandise launches of recent years.

But one major question continues to follow the brand:

Who actually profits from Trump Watches?

The answer involves licensing agreements, third-party companies, branded merchandise structures, and multiple business entities operating behind the scenes. While Donald Trump’s image and name are central to the marketing, the watches are not directly manufactured or sold by the Trump Organization itself. Instead, profits appear to flow through a licensing arrangement involving a company called TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC.

This article breaks down exactly who earns money from Trump Watches, how the licensing structure works, and why the arrangement has generated controversy.

What Are Trump Watches?

Trump Watches are a collection of branded wristwatches launched in 2024 featuring Donald Trump’s name, image, and political branding. The lineup includes:

• Lower-priced quartz models
• “Fight Fight Fight” editions
• Luxury tourbillon watches
• Diamond-encrusted collectible models priced up to $100,000

The watches were promoted heavily on social media and through Trump-related advertising campaigns.

The products are marketed primarily as collectible luxury merchandise rather than traditional horology-focused timepieces.

The Company Behind Trump Watches

The company officially selling the watches is called TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC. According to the official Trump Watches website, this company operates under a paid licensing agreement that allows it to use the Trump name, image, and likeness.

The website explicitly states:

“Trump Watches are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates.”

This disclaimer is extremely important because it clarifies that:

• Trump does not directly manufacture the watches
• The Trump Organization does not directly sell them
• A separate licensing company handles operations
• Trump profits through branding rights rather than direct production

TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC is reportedly registered in Sheridan, Wyoming. Multiple reports noted that the company shares similarities with entities involved in other Trump-branded merchandise projects, including sneakers and collectibles.

Does Donald Trump Personally Profit From Trump Watches?

Most likely, yes — through licensing fees.

The official disclaimers repeatedly state that TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC uses the Trump name and likeness under a “paid license agreement.”

That means:

• Trump licensed his brand identity
• The LLC pays for the right to use it
• Trump or Trump-affiliated entities likely receive royalties or licensing payments

This is a common celebrity merchandising structure used throughout entertainment, fashion, and sports industries.

In licensing arrangements like this, the celebrity often earns:

• Upfront licensing fees
• Percentage royalties from sales
• Revenue-sharing agreements
• Marketing compensation

However, the exact financial terms of Trump’s agreement with TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC have not been publicly disclosed.

Does the Trump Organization Profit?

The situation becomes more complicated when discussing the Trump Organization.

Official disclaimers say the Trump Organization does not manufacture, distribute, or sell the watches directly.

However, licensing revenue could still potentially flow through entities connected to Trump’s business network.

Reports have pointed to licensing structures involving companies associated with Trump’s branding operations, including CIC Ventures and similar trademark-holding entities used in previous Trump merchandise projects.

In practice, this means:

• The Trump Organization may not directly operate the watch business
• Trump-related companies could still earn licensing income
• Revenue likely comes from intellectual property rights rather than manufacturing

This separation helps reduce operational risk while allowing the Trump brand to monetize its name.

Does Trump’s Presidential Campaign Profit?

According to the official Trump Watches website, proceeds from watch sales do not go directly to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

The website specifically says:

• The watches are “not political”
• They are unrelated to campaign fundraising
• Purchases are not campaign donations

This distinction matters legally because campaign finance laws impose strict rules regarding political fundraising and merchandise sales.

Even though the watches are politically associated with Trump’s image, the companies behind them maintain that the products are commercial collectibles rather than campaign merchandise.

TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC’s Role

TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC appears to be the primary operational beneficiary of the watch business.

The company likely profits from:

• Direct watch sales
• Merchandise margins
• Manufacturing markups
• Online sales revenue
• Brand-driven premium pricing

The LLC handles:

• Website operations
• Sales processing
• Customer support
• Distribution
• Licensing management

Reports also note that the company uses third-party manufacturing and international production partners rather than operating its own watchmaking facilities.

This means the LLC functions more like a branding and retail operation than a traditional watch manufacturer.

Who Manufactures the Watches?

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Trump Watches is the identity of the actual manufacturers.

The official website does not clearly identify:

• The factory
• The movement suppliers
• The watchmakers
• The production facilities

Multiple investigations and industry reports suggest overseas manufacturing is heavily involved, particularly in China and Hong Kong.

This manufacturing structure is common for celebrity-branded watches because it allows:

• Lower production costs
• Faster scaling
• Higher profit margins
• Easier global sourcing

If this structure is accurate, manufacturing partners and suppliers also profit significantly from the watch sales.

Why Licensing Deals Are So Profitable

Licensing agreements are among the most profitable business models in celebrity branding.

In this model:

1. A celebrity provides their name and image
2. A separate company handles manufacturing
3. The celebrity avoids operational risk
4. Both sides share profits

This allows celebrities to monetize their fame without:

• Owning factories
• Managing logistics
• Handling inventory
• Operating retail infrastructure

For Trump Watches, this means Donald Trump can potentially earn revenue simply by licensing his brand identity while another company handles day-to-day operations.

This same strategy has been used for:

• Trump sneakers
• Trump fragrances
• Trump NFTs
• Trump Bibles
• Trump merchandise collections

Why Critics Question the Business Structure

The structure behind Trump Watches has generated controversy because many details remain unclear.

Critics have questioned:

• Manufacturing transparency
• Pricing structures
• Company ownership
• Supply chain origins
• Profit-sharing details

Investigative reports also highlighted the limited public information available about TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC.

Some critics argue the watches resemble a branding exercise more than a serious luxury watchmaking project.

Others have questioned whether the watches are overpriced compared to established Swiss luxury brands.

Public Reactions and Consumer Complaints

Online reactions to Trump Watches have been sharply divided.

Supporters often view them as:

• Political memorabilia
• Collectible luxury items
• Symbols of support for Trump

Critics and some buyers, however, have raised concerns regarding:

• Shipping delays
• Refund policies
• Product transparency
• Customer service

The Daily Beast reported that many buyers left negative reviews on Trustpilot, alleging delayed shipments and poor communication.

Reddit discussions and watch communities also debated:

• Whether the watches justify their pricing
• The actual quality of the movements
• Manufacturing origins
• The mystery surrounding the LLC structure

How Much Money Could Trump Watches Generate?

Exact sales figures remain unknown, but the potential revenue is significant.

Consider the pricing:

• Entry models start around $499
• Mid-range collectible sets cost several thousand dollars
• Tourbillon models are priced up to $100,000

Even relatively small production runs could generate millions in revenue.

For example:

• Selling 1,000 watches at $499 generates nearly $500,000
• Selling 100 watches at $100,000 generates $10 million

Because celebrity merchandise often operates on high markup structures, profit margins can be substantial.

Final Verdict: Who Profits From Trump Watches?

The profits from Trump Watches likely flow to several different parties:

• Donald Trump or Trump-affiliated licensing entities
• TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC
• Manufacturing suppliers
• Distribution and fulfillment partners
• Marketing and merchandising operators

However, the structure is built primarily around licensing rather than traditional watchmaking. Donald Trump appears to profit mainly by allowing his name, image, and branding to be used under a paid agreement.

Meanwhile, TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC appears to operate the commercial side of the business, including sales and distribution.

Ultimately, Trump Watches function more as celebrity-branded collectible merchandise than a conventional luxury watch manufacturer — and the people profiting most are likely those controlling the licensing, branding, and retail infrastructure behind the scenes.