In a recent promotional video, Donald Trump, donned in his iconic blue suit and red tie, presents himself as a savvy businessman, unveiling a new line of limited-edition watches purportedly “designed for the President.” The marketing boasts of “Swiss-made power and precision,” with prices reaching six figures.
However, a CNN investigation uncovered a different reality: the watches may potentially be produced at a nondescript shopping center in a small city in remote northern Wyoming, not far from the Montana border.
The source of these so-called luxury timepieces, labeled as part of an “exclusive club,” is linked to TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC, a company that shares a parking lot with a Wendy’s and an H&R Block. Its office appears to be little more than a mail drop, housing a daycare with no visible signs of any watch manufacturing. The company operates under a veil of anonymity, with no clear information available about its owners or operations, echoing a pattern of obfuscation seen in Trump’s other business ventures.
The investigation highlights a web of businesses connected to this shopping center, many of which utilize the same registered agent in Wyoming—a state notorious for allowing corporate anonymity. This arrangement has sparked skepticism, especially given Trump’s history of controversial business dealings and the lack of clarity surrounding the new watch line.
Moreover, the promotional materials for the watches contain disclaimers stating that the products are not designed or sold by Trump himself or his organization, raising further doubts about the legitimacy of the claims made in the marketing. The website even notes that images shown are for “illustrative purposes” only, hinting that the actual products may not resemble those advertised.
Critics have already begun to mock the watches within luxury circles, with reviewers calling some models “cheap” and expressing concern over the lack of basic information regarding their quality and specifications. Tim Mosso, a respected watch expert, noted the peculiarities of the $100,000 model, questioning why it can’t be exposed to water and speculating that few of these expensive units may ever be produced.
Adding to the confusion, the watch business shares an address with Kingdom Honey LLC, which markets questionable products linked to health risks. This connection raises alarm bells about the credibility of the companies operating in the same space as Trump’s watch brand.
Despite the alarming lack of transparency, Trump’s ventures seem to capitalize on his celebrity status, as he has actively promoted these watches through social media, blending campaign messaging with product advertisements. While his licensing deals have brought in substantial revenue, they also underscore a pattern of misleading consumers.
All of these corporations are connected through the same organizer, Andrew Pierce, whose company acts as the registered agent and gatekeeper for information regarding the business Trump is promoting during the final weeks of his third presidential campaign.
A representative from Pierce’s office in Sheridan, Wyoming, informed CNN that he spends most of his time at the company’s headquarters in Puerto Rico. Carol Mendelsohn, the chief marketing officer for Pierce’s firm, confirmed via email that they serve as the registered agents for Trump-related companies.
“To be absolutely clear, registered agents do not bear any responsibility for the actions of their clients, and we will not respond to any further communication via email or phone regarding these companies,” she stated.
In a telephone interview, Pierce’s father and business partner, attorney Mark Pierce, admitted he was unaware that two of their clients were associated with the former president until contacted by CNN. While he defended his clients’ right to keep their details private, he cautioned that Trump’s history as a businessman warrants careful consideration for anyone dealing with a product linked to Trump.
“Before spending $100,000 on a watch, they should know who they’re buying it from,” he advised.
“If Mr. Trump or anyone in his family were on the same side of the street I was on,” Pierce said, “I would cross the street.”
