As the deadly virus continues to kill thousands of people and cripple daily life for most Americans, the White House Gift Shop is selling COVID-19 commemorative coins, emblazoned with slogans like “World vs The Unseen Enemy” and “Everyday HEROES Suited Up.”
This story has been updated to reflect a recent fact-check:
The privately-run White House store is asking buyers to fork out $100 (reduced from $125!) to commemorate the “historic moment.” One coin has an image of a COVID-19 spore superimposed on a world map, while a second coin features an empty White House podium with the names of the coronavirus task force members surrounding it including President Trump, Vice President Pence, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and medical experts Drs. Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci.
The shop, which is privately-run, was established by then-President Truman in 1946 and says it is given exclusive trademark rights—said sale proceeds will be donated to hospitals. The coins are the eleventh in a “historic moment art series” that includes coins celebrating Trump’s meetings with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin and another titled, “President Donald J. Trump: A Study in Genius.”
In a sales pitch that absolutely no one has asked for, the White House Gift Shop is selling COVID-19 commemorative coins, emblazoned with slogans like “World vs The Unseen Enemy” and “Everyday HEROES Suited Up” https://t.co/NSQ5tJ8UtP
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 29, 2020
The idea didn’t sit well with people online who called out the idea as “an Ivanka idea.”
Take a look at some of the responses below:
Just like his “charities”, there is no way these $’s are getting to any hospitals.
I’ll bet bank on it.#COVID19
— Hermione (@HermioneIsHere) April 29, 2020
If this is true it's f****g gross
— heartSF (@chsfde) April 29, 2020
WTH, whose not so brilliant idea was this? Making commemorative coins while Americans are still dying!
— PDR 🌊 (@PattiR57167178) April 29, 2020
They really nailed it with the empty podium on one side though. Very appropriate.
— Socially Distant (@fsckydingo) April 29, 2020
I saw these earlier and couldn't help notice how much he needs to have his name on everything. Do you think there will ever be a Trump Memorial, or a Trump Library of Congress, or a Trump Building of Whatever, whatever…
I doubt it… pic.twitter.com/xl4u10xAqV
— ex~po~nen~tial (@EdmRickster) April 29, 2020
If true… sounds like an Ivanka idea for sure.💵💵💵💵👎😜
— Robin (@Robin7850) April 29, 2020
RELATED: Trump Says There’s No Need For Vaccine, Claims COVID-19 Will Magically ‘Be Eradicated’: Watch
