Earlier this week, a new video was posted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s YouTube account exploring the president’s recent apprenticeship initiative through a numismatic lens.
The video begins with a clip from Trump’s June announcement, in which he explained a forthcoming executive order would “expand apprenticeships and vocational training to help all Americans find a rewarding career, earn a great living and support themselves and their families, and love going to work in the morning.” Although the order was reportedly drafted to help Americans find worthwhile careers, the video focuses solely on the manufacture of “Make America Great Again” medals. Like all of Trump’s campaign products—including the infamous Make America Great Again hat—these “Presidential Medals” (not to be confused by the U.S. Mint’s Presidential Medals) are produced in the U.S. by U.S. citizens.
“This apprenticeship is going to change my life,” said Paul Schlei, an apprentice with Green Bay’s Medalcraft Mint.
“It’s going to allow me to advance in Medalcraft, which, in part, is going to help me make America great again. Not everyone sits at a desk; you need trades. That’s what makes this country great. Look at the past. It’s people being plumbers, people being pressmen. I know what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my career. I’ll be able to advance here at Medalcraft, make more money, accomplish things that I’d really like to accomplish, and I couldn’t do that without an apprenticeship.”
TRUMP’S FACE ON OBVERSE, U.S. FLAG ON REVERSE
Trump’s face and name are engraved on the medal’s obverse while a U.S. flag and the slogan “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” is found on the reverse. The 2.75-inch by 0.220-inch bronze medal is available online at the Trump store for $45.
For more information about the Trump medal, visit shop.donaldjtrump.com/products/presidential-medal.