Trump's Unexpected Praise for Sharpie Pens During Cabinet Meeting
Trump's Lighthearted Endorsement of Sharpie Pens
During a Cabinet meeting that focused on the Iran situation and a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump made a surprising comment about Sharpie pens. What started as a casual remark quickly evolved into a humorous and enthusiastic endorsement. Trump stated, “This pen is very inexpensive, but it writes well. I like it,” eliciting laughter from those present. He humorously added, “I don’t want to give them too much publicity, but they do tip me well: Sharpie.”
Trump: You see this pen right here? This pen is very inexpensive. But it writes well. I like it. Sharpie. I came here. They had $1,000 pens. You hand out pens. You hand them to people. 30, 40 people. They were $1,000 a piece. Beautiful pen, ball point. I hand out to kids that… pic.twitter.com/mrEXypiA0o
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 26, 2026
Trump compared Sharpies to the traditional ballpoint pens used in the White House, which he described as aesthetically pleasing but often unreliable. He recounted instances where he would attempt to sign documents only to find the pen had run out of ink, leading to awkward moments in front of the public. “I got all you people looking: ‘There must be something wrong with Trump,’” he recalled.
Cost was another significant factor in his discussion. Trump noted that standard pens could reach prices of $1,000 each, which becomes problematic when multiple pens are distributed during events. “These kids are getting a pen for $1,000 apiece, and they don’t know what it is,” he explained, highlighting how these pens are often given to attendees, including children.
Interestingly, Trump revealed that he had contacted the CEO of Newell Brands, the parent company of Sharpie, to request a customized design for the markers. He asked for a more understated look without prominent branding for official occasions. The company proposed pens featuring the White House and his signature in gold.
Despite the offer of complimentary pens, Trump mentioned they settled on a price of $5 each. “For $5 – it could be zero – I get a much better pen than $1,000. I can hand them out,” he remarked, adding, “Actually, they’ve become hot as a pistol.”