TEMPLE, Texas — Legendary guitar manufacturer Gibson has filed a cease and desist order against a company making Donald Trump-branded guitars, claiming the instruments infringe on Gibson's "exclusive trademarks", according to Guitar World and Consequence.
According to Guitar World, Gibson confirmed that they have filed the order against 16 Creative, who owns Trump Guitars, over the use of its single-cut electric guitar model, saying the design "infringes upon Gibson’s exclusive trademarks, particularly the iconic Les Paul body shape.”
While Trump Guitars is reportedly not thought to be owned by Trump himself, the instruments are being marketed as “the only guitar officially endorsed by President Donald J. Trump”, and the president-elect has promoted the guitars on his personal social media page on Truth Social.
Story continues below
The launch of the Trump guitars reportedly includes Les Paul-style electric guitars and acoustic guitars, with some signed editions. Unsigned guitars range from $1,250 for an acoustic to $1,500 for an electric, while signed guitars reach upwards of $10,000.
According to the company's website, the guitars feature the phrase "Make America Great Again" across the neck and a No. 45 on the headstock. According to Guitar World, The Trump Guitars site indicates the guitar brand is owned by 16 Creative and says that the instruments are “custom designed and developed by a veteran-owned company with the help of a master luthier”.
The Trump Guitars website shows a disclaimer stating that "GetTrumpGuitars.com is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by or in any way officially connected with Gibson Brands Inc. or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor does it represent itself as a dealer, manufacturer or distributor of Gibson, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Custom or any of their products."
Gibson is one of the leading guitar manufacturers in the industry, having been making instruments for over 100 years, according to their website. Their portfolio also includes brands such as Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger and more.
Gibson has created several iconic guitar designs over the years, including the famous Les Paul, SG and Hummingbird acoustic.