{
  "id": 15058576,
  "title": "‘He can’t run again’: MAGA merch sellers are closing shop and cutting prices. One sold $63 million but now she’s closed three stores",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/he-cant-run-again-maga-merch-sellers-are-closing-shop-and-cutting",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T21:36:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/10/16/trump-maga-merch-sales-sellers-midterms-rallies-election/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Richard Kligman did not initially intend to sell merchandise related to President Donald Trump and the \"Make America Great Again\" slogan. However, in 2016, when customers started requesting MAGA hats and flags at his Myrtle Beach, South Carolina kite shop, Kligman recognized a business opportunity. He and his brother opened a Trump Super Store in 2018, which became popular during the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. But now, Kligman believes the demand for Trump-branded merchandise is waning due to President Trump's inability to run again. Sales have dropped by 39% from their 2024 levels, and Kligman plans to exit the business by the end of 2027. Other MAGA merch sellers have also noticed a decline in sales, leading some to cut prices, close stores, or shift their focus to other patriotic merchandise or Trump rallies. With President Trump barred from another presidential run by the Constitution, the future of the MAGA merch business remains uncertain.",
  "summary": "MAGA merch boomed while Trump was on the ballot, but sellers are closing stores, slashing prices, and wondering if their businesses can outlast him.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}