President Donald Trump is back in business with a new ventures. And his new ventures have again raised eyebrows and wrinkled noses.
Trump is introducing a luxury fragrance line with a price point of $249 per bottle. He is called his Victory 45-47. The fragrance is available in both men’s and women’s versions and is packaged in gold statues shaped like Donald Trump himself.
After launching an array of items, this product was also launched under Trump’s marketing umbrella. It has continued his trend of mixing his personal brand with his political career.
Whatever may have been his vision for the perfume, online reviews and social media reactions suggest it didn’t smell all that nice to people. It reeks more of desperation than dominance.
The fragrance has become another object with Donald Trump’s name for ridicule and criticism. Early reactions on platforms like Parfumo and Reddit have been extremely negative and some might say meme-worthy.
Trump is hawking colognes and perfumes to cover up the stench of his terrible budget bill that takes healthcare and food assistance away from our most vulnerable to pay for tax cuts skewed towards the richest Americans. pic.twitter.com/n6Acn526Sz
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) July 1, 2025
The scent that has been described as “oriental-fruity with notes of vanilla, spice, and wood,” received a dismal 1.9 out of 10 on review sites. One Reddit user even described it as smelling like “sweaty fungal feet,” while others went for its high price and called it “grift in a bottle.”
GQ described the scent as “pleasant but unremarkable.” But Wired had more choice words for it and emphasized that the bold packaging couldn’t mask the underwhelming performance of the fragrance itself.
They have also expressed their view that the perfume is more about cultivating a cult-like personality for Trump and his followers than the fragrance itself.
16 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, but go buy my gross perfume… https://t.co/U2XSdmGwXS
— Jessica Tarlov (@JessicaTarlov) July 1, 2025
When a product has such a high political performance about it, political critics were already on their way. Jessica Tarlov, who is a co-host on Fox News’ The Five, slammed the launch for its timing. She has noted the irony of asking $250 for perfume while ordinary Americans struggle with rising healthcare costs.
“It’s grossly out of touch,” she said. “Another example of Donald Trump selling fantasy over substance.”
The backlash isn’t just about the scent. There are violations of social ethics and optics that are also on full display. Several media outlets, including Reuters and The Independent, have raised concerns about the president continuing to profit from his name. Especially while he is in office and he has dragged former President Biden so brutally for his being involved in business transactions.
Even though it is technically legal, the venture highlights a blurred line between personal profit and public trust.
Trump has launched a perfume line, Trump Fragrances…
Get yourself a Bottle for Victory, Strength and Fragrances… pic.twitter.com/tiVy6rZHXM
— TC the Tempter (@onwe_tc) July 1, 2025
However, nothing can deter the cult of sycophants. MAGA Trump supporters see the fragrance as part of his “brand of boldness.”
They don’t care about the scent of the perfume. It’s not about how good a product is, but more about who is selling the product. It is about loyalty, identity and making a statement.
Even the perfume’s name itself references Donald Trump’s terms in office. It is definitely a politically motivated product.
But the general public doesn’t seem to be buying the narrative or the product. Trump and his team are getting mocked on TikTok and Instagram. Influencers are staging “reaction unboxing” to roast the perfume.
Peacemaker and perfumer: Trump announced the launch of Trump Victory perfume. pic.twitter.com/sqmTdeciy0
— Victor vicktop55 commentary (@vick55top) July 1, 2025
Many people have compared it unfavorably to budget alternatives. Many have also claimed that drugstore colognes are far better in quality at a fraction of the price.
The Victory 45-47 fragrance line may prove successful among Donald Trump loyalists. But his shouldn’t be too confident about its sale beyond that. Considering how most of his base is struggling to buy food, not everyone will buy his perfumes either.
