A strategically placed Trump merchandise store in Tennessee placed new “Going Out of Business” signs in a nod to the MAGA King’s popularity just not cutting the mustard for sales. Apparently, Trump gear is just not selling the way it used to.
West of Knoxville on Interstate 40, between two Buc-ee’s travel centers on one of the busiest trucking junctions in the state, the Tennessee Trump Superstore is the former home of Cupid’s Outlet, an adult novelty store managed by a trans comedian and former Tennessee radio personality.
Owner Bill Hays is an 80-year-old businessman with multiple ventures, including other Cupid’s Outlet stores that turned to Trump merch stores, along with some condos in Florida.
Hays said he is not particularly political, with both Democrat and Republican friends.
*This seems to track somewhat, noting a history of owning sex toy stores under the leadership of a trans woman turning to sell MAGA merchandise supporting the most anti-trans president in history. A real businessman…
A Slate reporter met up first with a part-time employee at the Superstore named Dan, who when asked if the place was staying busy, replied, “No. That’s why we’re closing,” he straightforwardly answered. “We’re not busy anymore.”
Dan recalled that back in the store’s heyday, they once had 86 people in one day stop in. There were also big sales days right after the Butler incident, when Charlie Kirk was shot, and when Trump started the war in Iran.
Owner Bill seemed more reluctant to share his opinions on Trump and the store closing than employee Dan.
They both noted a local reporter was attempting to paint the store closing as more of a retirement thing than a failing business.
“I don’t think she wanted to say we were closing for lack of business, but that’s why we’re closing,” Bill explained.
Dan cheerfully went on. Pointing to Bill, he said, “I was just telling him that he”—by which he meant Trump—“really is dwindling, dwindling, dwindling.”
Dan was asked whether he meant dwindling in health or popularity.
“Popularity,” he replied, although he agreed that the president’s health was also an issue. “You can see more and more Republicans are not happy with their life situation,” he said. “People really are saying, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to do a full load of groceries or I’m going to put my electric bill on a credit card this month.’ Dan continued. “Truly, people are thinking about that, and they’re Republicans. And the big kick is if they can get off of Fox News and get some real, real news …”
At that, Bill looked at Dan and gave him the universal signal for “cut it out” by motioning to slit his throat.