No matter who you plan to vote for in the U.S. presidential election next Tuesday, November 8, one thing is clear: this has been a fascinating, one-of-a-kind election season. And the candidates’ promotional products are no exception. Whether voters are planning to vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, they have this in common: Their taste in political swag is moving way beyond the typical bumper stickers and yard signs.
“In addition to ubiquitous promotional products like bumper stickers, buttons and yard signs, the promo industry is going wild devising memorable products featuring this year’s candidates,” said Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) CEO Timothy M. Andrews. “No matter who you support, political swag is definitely capturing voters’ attention.”
Here, courtesy of ASI, are the top 10 wackiest political promotional products of the 2016 presidential race:
- Trump Hair Socks: With artificial hair that can be combed and flipped.
- Hillary Clinton ready-for-action figure: 6-inch hard-plastic figure.
- Clinton/Trump Piñatas: Fun activity for any campaign event.
- Trump/Clinton chia heads: Water the Chia seeds and watch them grow.
- “Make America Great Again” Hat: Trump’s slogan embroidered on a red cap.
- Hillary Clinton “woman card”: Become a card-carrying member.
- Notorious HRC Shirt: Hillary Rodham Clinton, aka “Notorious H.R.C.”
- “We Shall Overcomb” T-shirt: Trump shirt with comb and funny saying.
- Trump/Clinton talking pens: Press Trump’s hair to hear his actual words; press Clinton button to hear her actual laugh.
- Clinton/Trump sneakers Wearable shoes branded with each candidate’s face.
Presidential Swag Spending
When it comes to presidential swag on the campaign trail, who spends more? According to campaign finance reports, Trump is spending nearly five times more than Clinton on promotional merchandise advertising his candidacy.
Who sells what? The official Donald Trump campaign store features $30 logoed hats, #Yuge buttons, playing cards, and drink coolers. The official Hillary Clinton campaign store sells branded totes, notebooks, houseware, and apparel — including $35 custom state T-shirts. Thousands of products are also given away to supporters at campaign rallies and headquarters.
Finally, when it comes to more traditional presidential promotional products, bumper stickers are still popular. Of the two major party presidential candidates, Clinton is leading Trump 53% to 47% among respondents who were asked which candidate’s sticker they would be most willing to put on their car, according to a nationwide bumper sticker poll conducted by ASI October 28-30.
