President Donald Trump has developed an unusual habit inside his administration: giving away dress shoes.
Specifically, Trump has taken a liking to Florsheim dress shoes, an American brand known for its classic designs and relatively modest price point. The president has reportedly begun gifting pairs to cabinet members, advisers, and close associates, turning the footwear into an informal staple among figures in his orbit.
Trump, long associated with tailored Brioni suits and an emphasis on personal presentation, has frequently praised the shoes during conversations with colleagues. Many Florsheim models retail for roughly $145, making them considerably less expensive than the luxury brands often worn by senior officials in Washington.
According to accounts from people familiar with the practice, Trump has occasionally interrupted meetings to comment on footwear.
During a December Oval Office meeting, the president reportedly criticized the shoes worn by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump then produced a Florsheim catalog and asked each man for his shoe size—Rubio reportedly wears 11.5, while Vance wears 13—before arranging for pairs to be ordered.
Vance later recalled the exchange, noted The Wall Street Journal.
“The president kind of leans back in his chair and says: ‘You know you can tell a lot about a man by his shoe size.’”
The shoe-gifting has extended beyond that encounter. Trump has also reportedly sent pairs to several other senior administration officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Outside government, recipients have included Fox News host Sean Hannity and Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The practice has produced mixed reactions among recipients. One unnamed cabinet secretary reportedly complained privately about having to trade his Louis Vuitton footwear for the more modest Florsheims.
Within the White House, however, the shoes have become a recognizable trend.
“All the boys have them,” one female White House official told the outlet.
Another staff member described the dynamic more humorously: “It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”
'All the boys have them': Trump doles out his favourite shoes to White House aides https://t.co/6JgFHf1RWx pic.twitter.com/d4Nfb8gxRj
— Standard News (@standardnews) March 10, 2026
Trump sometimes signs the shoe boxes personally or includes handwritten notes when sending the gifts. Orders are typically delivered about a week after he places them, occasionally following spur-of-the-moment guesses about someone’s shoe size during meetings or conversations.
The specific style Trump appears to favor includes black Oxford models such as the Lexington, which features a cushioned footbed, lightweight sole, and rubber tap designed to improve flexibility.
Florsheim itself is a longstanding American brand. Founded in 1892, the company is now owned by Wisconsin-based Weyco Group and has historically been worn by a wide range of public figures, including former President Harry Truman and entertainer Michael Jackson.
Opinions about the modern versions of the shoes vary. Some wearers praise their traditional appearance and comfort, and several models receive strong customer ratings online. Others have raised concerns about durability, with occasional complaints about soles wearing out quickly.
Despite the mixed reviews, the footwear has become a small but distinctive feature of Trump’s personal management style. The president’s attention to details such as clothing and presentation has long been part of his public persona, and the Florsheim gifts appear to reflect both that sensibility and his preference for practical, mid-range American products.
According to the White House, Trump pays for the shoes himself.
