Is Trump Using His Public Office to Sell Hats?

President Donald Trump wore a hat sold to raise money for his re-election campaign during his Tuesday visit to the areas of Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey, grabbing the attention of ethics watchdog groups.

Trump was widely photographed wearing the “USA” cap when he arrived in Corpus Christi, Texas and during his subsequent briefing with Governor Greg Abbott about the natural disaster. The new images follow two official photos released by the White House showing Trump sitting in cabinet meetings about the storm while wearing the hats.

The cap, which reads “USA,” is sold in red or white for $40 on the president’s re-election campaign website.

Also Read: Twitter Can Calm Down: Melania Trump Trades Heels for Sneakers Ahead of Texas Flood Tour

The self-promotion has caught the eye of ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which has flagged the behavior on Twitter.

“Wearing a campaign hat, @realDonaldTrump opens [a speech addressing hurricane victims] as if it was a campaign rally. Are we sure that it wasn’t?” the group wrote.

Former New Republic editor Gabriel Snyder called Trump’s wearing of the hat “product placement” in a series of tweets, joining a chorus of people wondering whether the choice of attire violates an ethics rule.

“This seems at best sketchy and at worst the violation of an ethics rule,” wrote former Barack Obama advisor and “Pod Save America” co-host Dan Pfeiffer.

Also Read: Beyonce, Other Famous Texans Send Good Vibes to Hurricane Victims: 'Texas You Are in My Prayers'

Wearing a campaign hat, @realDonaldTrump opens as if it was a campaign rally. Are we sure that it wasn't? https://t.co/Q95kx4Q4ix

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) August 29, 2017

DO YOU MEAN MARKETING TO ADD TO YOUR CAMPAIGN WAR CHEST DURING A DISASTER WITH NOT SO MUCH AS A RED CROSS DONATE BUTTON ON YOUR WEBSITE?!?!? https://t.co/G3rE72PoB7

— alyssa mastromonaco (@AlyssaMastro44) August 29, 2017

https://twitter.com/gabrielsnyder/status/902570821411069952

Take a Tour of the Hilarious, Fake Mike Pence Site That Fooled a Lot of People (Photos)

There's been mounting speculation that Mike Pence might stage a run for President in 2020 if Donald Trump is unable to run, but of course the VP has denied that. However, plenty of people were fooled by a fake website declaring Pence the 46th President of the United States -- many of them thinking he'd been hacked. The website, officialmikepence.com, is loaded with jabs at Pence's views on LGBT individuals and the alleged claims that he refers to his wife as "mother." Click through for some of the site's wildest jokes.
Getty Images
The main gag is that this is a secret website, with a banner that says "Private Link: Do Not Share," as though it needs to be kept out of view of Trump.
Turns out that Pence's running mate in 2020 is none other than the Son of God himself, "Christ."
A fake campaign ad with hilarious smash cuts goes as far as to outright ask you to call him The President of the United States.
Next to "Mike Facts" with absurdly bland comments like "Mike Pence likes to watch movies" is a banner ad that reads "Number of Gays Who Have Returned to the Lord."
Don't forget to read the fine print, which promises a Russian translation coming soon, and a helpful link for those searching for the bodybuilder also named Mike Pence.
Pence's "bio" says he's "proud to serve the white and Christian population of America." It even recalls the time he exposed and boycotted Disney's "Mulan" saying women shouldn't be in the military, which is totally real.
This disturbing image of five smiling white children calls to "return this country back to its rightful owners."
If you really want to get to know the man, check out Pence's "What I Ate" section. Here's a menu sampling: "3 egg whites with mayonnaise vinaigrette, four hard boiled eggs, unbuttered white toast and a corn smoothie."
Did you know that Pence's "favorite type of technology is radio" and that he can "play all of 'Joker' by Steve Miller Band on guitar except the slide part after 'Some people call me Maurice?'" Now you do.
In the "Mother May I" tab, Pence's wife Karen answers questions from "the community," a.k.a. Pence himself. Pro tip: You're not allowed to eat alone with a woman other than your wife.
A helpful banner ad asking if you're a homosexual takes you "straight" to hell.com.
As President, Pence promises to deport "Italians, Jewish Persons, All mirrors in women's bathrooms, and men wearing boxer briefs."
The issues matter to Pence. His belief: "Corn is our country, and our country is corn."
Don't forget to stop at the Official Mike Pence store, where you can pick up an autographed copy of the Bible, Vasoline for the corner of your mouth, and a $72 "Shame Cube" to wear over your head.
Check it out for yourself at officialmikepence.com
Getty Images

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But don’t share it with Trump!

There's been mounting speculation that Mike Pence might stage a run for President in 2020 if Donald Trump is unable to run, but of course the VP has denied that. However, plenty of people were fooled by a fake website declaring Pence the 46th President of the United States -- many of them thinking he'd been hacked. The website, officialmikepence.com, is loaded with jabs at Pence's views on LGBT individuals and the alleged claims that he refers to his wife as "mother." Click through for some of the site's wildest jokes.

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Take a Tour of the Hilarious, Fake Mike Pence Site That Fooled a Lot of People (Photos)

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