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Trump Claims Custom Sharpie Deal, Company Denies Conversation

3/29/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In a March 26, 2026 Cabinet meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he secured a deal for custom Sharpie markers.
He preferred Sharpies to $1,000 pens, saying the latter often ran out of ink during signings.
Trump recounted a Sharpie representative allegedly offering to customize the pens.
Newell Brands, the maker of Sharpies, said it had no record of such a conversation.

History

Historical Context

Sharpie, originally launched in 1964 by Sanford Ink Company, was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid in 1990, expanding its product line significantly. By 2011, over 200 million Sharpies had been sold globally. The brand gained notoriety in 2019 when President Trump controversially used a Sharpie to alter a weather map, raising concerns about political influence on scientific integrity and transparency in government communications.

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Story summary

In a March 26, 2026 Cabinet meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he secured a deal for custom Sharpie markers.
He preferred Sharpies to $1,000 pens, saying the latter often ran out of ink during signings.
Trump recounted a Sharpie representative allegedly offering to customize the pens.
Newell Brands, the maker of Sharpies, said it had no record of such a conversation.

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