To the MAGA-mobile!
Few can argue that freshly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump is the Wizard of Merch.
Whether it’s sneakers, bibles, watches, or, most recently, his own “Official Trump” crypto token, the real estate tycoon, former reality TV star, and returning Chief Executive never misses a chance to make a buck.
Given his superstar status, just about anything connected to the first convicted felon elected to the Oval Office is likely valuable.
Related: Rivian R1S showcases the best, and worst, of EVs
And with that in mind, we turn to a 2007 Ferrari F430 Coupe that once belonged to Trump and is now on the auction block.
Rockstar Car Auctions, which is handling the sale, said online bidding for the vehicle will run from Feb. 16 through March 9.
A Ferrari once owned by Donald Trump will be sold at auction. (Rockstar Car Auctions).
Rockstar Car Auctions
Auctioneer: Trump car a symbol of resilience
“This Ferrari isn’t just a car–it’s a symbol of resilience, triumph, and history,” the company said on its website. “Owned by one of the transformative figures of our time, this vehicle represents Trump’s unparalleled legacy.”
Trump bought the Ferrari new when his show, The Apprentice, was in its sixth season, and, according to Rockstar, “it has been meticulously maintained and in pristine condition with less than 10,000 miles on the speedometer.”
More 2025 stock market forecasts
Stocks face correction risk as Santa Claus Rally fails to deliverVeteran trader who correctly picked Palantir as top stock in ‘24 reveals best stock for ‘255 quantum computing stocks investors are targeting in 2025Goldman Sachs picks top sectors to own in 2025
The Ferrari, which belongs to a private owner in New Jersey, comes with the original title signed by Trump, a warranty card in his name, and Trump branding.
The Italian automaker produced the vehicle from 2004 until 2009 as a successor to the Ferrari 360.
Interior of a Ferrari once owned by Donald Trump
Rockstar Car Auctions
“With a 4.3-liter V8 engine producing 483 horsepower and a top speed of 196 mph, it was one of the most advanced supercars of its time,” the auction house said. “The car’s stunning Rosso Corsa red exterior and beige leather interior perfectly captures the iconic Ferrari aesthetic.”
Bidding began at $250,000, and the price tag could climb to $750,000 to $1 million when the virtual hammer falls.
Rockstar Auctions is no stranger to celebrity vehicle sales. The firm sold Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s 2006 Nissa 350Z for $58,000 and a Mercedes 1987 560SL belonging to Ivana Trump, the President’s former wife, for $25,000 to a buyer in Turkey.
“People have been fascinated by Donald Trump for a long time,” said Rockstar Car Auctions auctioneer Tony Rienzi.
“When I sold Ivana’s car, the buyer only bought it because of the Donald Trump connect–he bought it for Ivana,” he added. “With Donald Trump moving back into office today, it only increases the collectability of items he has personally owned.”
Analyst says Trump is icon to many people
Last year, a 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT roadster owned by Trump was sold at auction for $1.1 million, which, according to Forbes, was a heck of a lot more than the $350,000 and $500,000 price that most Diablos fetch when they’re auctioned.
“Celebrity cars certainly attract a big premium,” auctioneer Jim Ronan told The Telegraph last year.
“It’s particularly true with classic cars, as owners love to talk about them at every opportunity, so a back story about a famous owner is a great conversation piece which lifts their car above similar models in the club or at a show,” he said.
Related: Trump’s first day marked with executive orders impacting EVs
David Schmid, an associate professor of English at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, said the Trump Ferrari auction makes perfect sense.
“As many people have pointed out, Trump is not a conventional politician,” he said, “He is primarily a reality TV star, but one with unprecedented power and influence.”
“As such, he is an icon to many people for the way he represents to them fundamental American values: ambition, the pursuit of wealth, individualism, and the refusal to apologize and acknowledge guilt or blame,” Schmid added.
He noted that the desire to own something that previously belonged to Trump is animated by the same desires that have powered the celebrity collectibles market for many years.
“By purchasing this car, the new owner will also purchase some of Trump’s star power and charisma; to put it differently, the car becomes a kind of quasi-religious icon,” Schmid said.
“The Ferrari is perfectly equipped to do this because it conveniently symbolizes additional core qualities of the Trump brand: excess, conspicuous consumption, and machismo,” he said.
Related: Veteran fund manager issues dire S&P 500 warning for 2025
