Renowned guitar manufacturer Gibson has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company behind a new line of guitars endorsed by President-elect Donald J. Trump, Guitar World reports and Pitchfork can confirm. Gibson claims that 16 Creative is selling guitars with designs that infringe “upon Gibson’s exclusive trademarks, particularly the iconic Les Paul body shape,” a representative for Gibson tells Pitchfork.
Last week, Trump proudly shared a photo of himself holding an American Eagle Electric Guitar on his Truth Social account. The guitar, which bears the president-elect’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, is sold out, according to the manufacturer’s website, but had been available for $1,500 (or $11,500, if you wanted one autographed by Trump). The website also sells acoustic guitars, but, as Guitar World points out, it is 16 Creative’s electric guitars that most closely resemble the Gibson Les Paul. And, as The Associated Press notes, it is unclear what financial relationship the president-elect has with the guitar company beyond his endorsement.
