The Kamala Harris-Tim Walz camouflage “midwest princess” hat, seemingly inspired by singer Chappell Roan, has reached nearly $1m in sales in 24 hours.
On August 6, Vice President Harris declared the Minnesota governor as her Democratic running mate for the 2024 presidential election this November. In the official announcement video posted by Harris, an ecstatic Walz was featured, celebrating his bid as her vice president candidate from the comfort of his home. The 60-year-old politician dressed in a simple outfit: a black T-shirt, khaki bottoms, and a camouflage baseball cap.
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The $40 “Harris-Walz Camo Hat” is available on the campaign’s website. According to Teen Vogue, 3,000 hats were sold within 30 minutes of the sale going live. Since then, sales have amounted to nearly $1m, according to Teen Vogue’s report.
On the website, the hat is said to be “American made, union made” and all profits go to the Harris Victory Fund. “The most iconic political hat in America,” the description reads. And Bon Iver thinks so as well. The iconic musician was photographed wearing it on stage at a Harris-Walz campaign rally in Wisconisn on August 7.
Ideally campaigns would be funded via taxes, merch sold purely at cost, and strict laws against soliciting donations or running privately funded ads
There is no need for official political merch anyway, it’s not a band or a sports team. I don’t mind if people or associations make and wear them, bit why does a political party need to sell stuff?
The same reason that PBS sells tote bags.
How so? Even if it’s a no-profit, PBS is still a business. Even though they are operated like one in the US, political parties are not supposed to be businesses.
To raise funds in order to keep operations going.