White House staff reportedly ‘afraid not to wear’ shoes gifted by Trump

White House staff are reportedly 'afraid not to wear' shoes gifted to them by United States President Donald Trump.

According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, published yesterday (9 March), the 79-year-old Republican has been handing out footwear to several of his top officials and allies.

While it's been known for quite some time that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio don shoes specifically bought for them by Trump, the Journal has claimed that multiple other staff members are receiving the same treatment, walking about in a pair of Florsheims paid for by the president.

The Trump-approved shoes, which retail for about $145, have been seen on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House communications director Steven Cheung, White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and speechwriter Ross Worthington, the outlet stated.

US President Donald Trump has been gifting $145 dress shoes to his friends and advisers, according to a new report (Anna Moneymaker / Staff / Getty Images)

A female White House official told the Journal: "All the boys have them."

Meanwhile, another declared: "It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them."

The Journal report added that the White House confirmed that Trump president pays for the shoes himself.

For those who need their fashion knowledge refreshed, the shoes are American-made, leather Oxfords from the heritage brand Florsheim, which was founded in 1892.

And, as we say, the Journal's recent report is far from the first time the public has caught light of Trump's interest in footwear.

Last December, Vance recalled a moment when Trump swiftly shifted a conversation about policy to instead focus on shoes.

"The president kind of holds up his hand and says, 'No, no, no, hold on a second. There’s something much more important. Shoes,'" he said, per the Journal.

A female White House official reportedly told the Wall Street Journal that 'all the boys' have the shoes (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Trump then reportedly peered over the Resolute Desk before saying: "Marco, JD, you guys have sh*tty shoes. We gotta get you better shoes."

He then retrieved a catalogue.

A third politician was in the room, whom Vance didn’t name, and Trump asked each of the three men for their size, with Rubio saying 11.5, Vance 13 and the third man saying 7.

"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,'" Vance added.

When reached by phone, Thomas Florsheim Jr. said he was unaware of the president’s shoe orders, per the Journal.

"The Weyco Group CEO and fifth-generation Florsheim politely declined to comment further," the outlet added.

Tyla has reached out to the White House for comment.