Trump keeps gifting staff Rs 13,000 shoes and 'everyone’s afraid not to wear them'

Multiple reports describe the gifting as a recurring ritual: Donald Trump guesses the shoe size, instructs an aide to place an order, and days later a brown Florsheim box arrives — occasionally signed by him with a note of appreciation. 9Image credit: @HQNewsNow, @MilesTaylorUSA/X)

US President Donald Trump has reportedly developed a fixation with gifting $145 (approx. Rs 13,000) Florsheim dress shoes to White House officials, lawmakers and close aides — creating what some insiders describe as a “status symbol” and a source of quiet pressure within his inner circle.

Reports indicate that Trump has been routinely handing out the Chicago‑based brand’s leather oxfords, often guessing recipients’ shoe sizes on the spot and ordering pairs without their input.

A female White House official told reporters that “all the boys have them,” while another quipped that it was “hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”

The Wall Street Journal, which first highlighted the pattern, reported that aides feel pressured to wear the shoes in Trump’s presence — including at Oval Office meetings, where some officials have laced them up on the spot.

Cabinet officials, lawmakers and TV personalities among recipients

The list of those gifted shoes includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and several senior White House aides.

In fact, social media users were quick to spot that Rubio was photographed wearing the alleged shoes despite them being too large.

Sources say Trump purchases specific shoes for his inner circle, and that everyone is "afraid not to wear them."

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Marco Rubio was photographed wearing the alleged shoes despite them being too large. pic.twitter.com/tRV8mrOlrU — Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) March 11, 2026

Outside the administration, Fox News host Sean Hannity, former Fox anchor Tucker Carlson and Senator Lindsey Graham are also reported to have received pairs, Vice reported.

During one Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly told Vance and Rubio: “You guys have s---y shoes,” before reaching for a Florsheim catalogue and ordering replacements.

Yesterday morning: “As such, wearing [Trump’s shoes] becomes a private act of submission (particularly if he’s guessed your size wrong, and you’re forced to walk around with clown shoes).” Photo of Marco Rubio surfaces yesterday afternoon: https://t.co/hISHCqvqSRpic.twitter.com/DQlcHcoMs9 — Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) March 11, 2026

An unusual ritual

Multiple reports describe the gifting as a recurring ritual: Trump guesses the shoe size, instructs an aide to place an order, and days later a brown Florsheim box arrives — occasionally signed by him with a note of appreciation.

Some officials have privately complained about swapping out luxury footwear, including Louis Vuitton, for the budget‑friendly Florsheims when meeting the former president.

Menswear experts have also warned that Trump’s habit of guessing shoe sizes could be harmful if the wrong size is worn over long periods.

A new ‘MAGA status symbol’?

According to Vice, the shoes have become the “hottest and most exclusive MAGA status symbol,” signalling proximity to Trump.

But behind the humour, insiders emphasise the same core sentiment: everyone is afraid not to wear them.