The Cybertruck, emblazoned with Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” and adorned in red, white, and blue, was parked outside Mar-a-Lago, creating a striking visual for Ross’ audience, which peaked at over 500,000 viewers.The truck featured an image of Trump with his fist raised, taken moments after an assassination attempt at a recent rally.
Trump expressed admiration for both the vehicle and the watch, saying, “I think it’s incredible,” and “Wow, that’s so nice,” as he inspected the gifts, reported NYT. The interview also featured a custom playlist, with Trump enjoying classics like the Beach Boys while seated inside the Cybertruck.
Potential campaign finance violation
As per Tesla’s website, a base model Cybertruck has a sticker price of $60,990, with high-end trims topping $100,000. A customized wrap — the printed vinyl sticker covering every exterior surface of the vehicle — starts around $4,000. Rolex watches typically start at $5,000.
The extravagant gifts, which far exceed the federal campaign contribution limit of $3,300 per election cycle, could pose legal challenges for Trump. Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director at the watchdog group Documented, indicated that these items likely constitute illegal and excessive campaign contributions.
In response, Karoline Leavitt, a Trump campaign spokesperson, stated that the campaign would seek guidance from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on how to handle the gifts.
Reaching a new audience
Beyond the potential legal implications, the interview with Ross is part of Trump’s broader strategy to connect with younger, predominantly male, right-leaning voters who form a significant portion of Ross’ fanbase. Ross, who gained fame through video game streaming, has been a controversial figure due to his association with far-right personalities and his content, which led to multiple sanctions and an eventual ban from Twitch.
Trump has increasingly sought to engage this demographic, appearing in interviews with other influencers such as Logan Paul and the Nelk Boys, as well as featuring on platforms like TikTok to reach millions of potential voters.
During the nearly 90-minute interview, Ross avoided confrontation, allowing Trump to freely criticize political opponents like Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. Ross’ enthusiastic endorsement of Trump during the livestream even caught the former president by surprise, with Trump praising Ross for his open support.