Trump Fragrances

In response to a reader’s inquiry about why I haven’t included any Trump-branded fragrances in my posts, I want to be transparent about my personal stance. As a researcher and writer, I try to remain objective when discussing fragrances, focusing solely on the scents, their compositions, and the context in which they were created. However, I must admit that, over the years, I have struggled with the idea of covering the Trump fragrance line due to my personal feelings about the Trump family.

While I respect the fact that fragrances are a form of artistic expression and that each scent has its own distinct appeal, I also acknowledge the impact that the Trump name has on some individuals’ experiences and perspectives. That being said, I feel it is important to prioritize objectivity when addressing fragrance brands in my work. Fragrances, at the end of the day, exist as individual entities with their own unique blends, whether or not we agree with the associated branding. My intention is not to tell you whether or not to wear a particular fragrance; the decision of what to wear is yours to make. My advice is simple—make sure your choices reflect your personal values, and when it comes time to vote, express your views in the voting booths.

Ivana:

In January of 1989, Ivana and Donald Trump, then a married couple, filed an application to trademark the name "Ivana" for use as a top perfume brand. The move signified the couple’s growing ambition to enter the world of fragrance, adding to their empire of lifestyle products. However, by May 1989, the application was still pending, and it would take some time before the brand's fragrance would come to fruition.

By June 1990, New York Magazine reported that Ivana Trump’s much-anticipated fragrance was a citrusy, flowery scent. According to an insider close to Ivana, the inspiration for the perfume came from a personal moment at their lavish Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida. The story went that Ivana had plucked a spray of orange blossoms from one of the trees on the estate, leaving it in her room overnight. When she woke the next morning, she was enchanted by the delicate fragrance. The scent, which reminded her of the blossoms, felt like a good omen, a sign of something promising. This connection between nature and the creation of her fragrance seemed to imbue it with a special, personal significance for Ivana, capturing the essence of her lifestyle and environment in the form of a perfume.

Ivana by the House of Ivana was launched prior to 1993, marking a significant entry into the fragrance world for Ivana Trump. The fragrance was primarily sold through the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in America and QVC in Europe, offering a direct-to-consumer model that became a hallmark of Ivana's fragrance strategy. She also made several appearances in JC Penney department stores to promote her signature scent. In a bold move, JC Penney initially placed a large order for $3.2 million worth of the fragrance, reflecting confidence in its potential appeal. The fragrance quickly became a part of Ivana’s broader lifestyle brand, which included a variety of personal care products.

Fragrance Composition:

Ivana The Perfume is classified as a rich white floral bouquet fragrance, designed for women who sought an elegant, sophisticated scent. The fragrance was inspired in part by two influential perfumes: Fracas by Robert Piguet, known for its opulent floral composition, and Christian Lacroix’s first perfume, launched in 1990, which shared a similarly lush and luxurious character. The resulting perfume was a blend of florals, creating a scent that was both intense and feminine, with a complexity that appealed to those who enjoyed bold, elegant fragrances.  

• Top notes: aldehydes, neroli, bergamot, lily of the valley, jonquil, mandarin, peach, hyacinth
• Middle notes: ylang ylang, orange blossom, gardenia, carnation, tuberose, jasmine, rose
• Base notes: amber, oakmoss, musk, sandalwood, tonka bean, coriander, benzoin

Scent Profile:

As you first encounter Ivana, the top notes burst forth in a complex and sparkling opening, where the cool, almost metallic essence of aldehydes mingles effortlessly with the delicate, green freshness of neroli. It’s as if the fragrance is wrapped in a glistening veil, offering a crisp and airy introduction. A burst of bergamot adds a zesty, citrusy brightness, and the slightly floral undertones of mandarin and peach give this opening an inviting, juicy sweetness. 

The gentle, powdery touch of lily of the valley and the soft, almost wistful jonquil create a serene, garden-like atmosphere. Hyacinth brings an unexpected hint of watery freshness, its floral aroma green and dewy, like a breeze carrying the scent of spring flowers. It’s a vibrant, multifaceted beginning that hints at elegance and grace.

As the fragrance settles into its heart, the warmth and sensuality of its white floral bouquet take center stage. Ylang ylang unfolds with its rich, almost creamy, slightly fruity floralcy, adding depth to the composition. Orange blossom follows, bringing with it a gentle sweetness and a touch of honeyed warmth, reminding you of blossoms caught in the early morning light. Gardenia enhances the fragrance with its velvety, intoxicating scent, rich and full-bodied. 

The spicy floral character of carnation adds complexity and a subtle, peppery warmth, balanced by the lush, narcotic qualities of tuberose, which deepens the fragrance into a more opulent, heady expression. Jasmine, ever so delicate and velvety, lingers with its sweet, floral scent, while the rose notes introduce a timeless, romantic floral element that softens the edges and balances the composition.

The base notes slowly unfold, grounding the fragrance in warm, sensual tones that leave a lasting impression. Amber weaves through the fragrance, adding a rich, resinous warmth that feels like a soft embrace. Oakmoss brings a mossy, earthy depth, evoking the feeling of walking through a shaded forest, while musk adds a soft, animalic sensuality, lingering close to the skin. Sandalwood adds a creamy, woody note that is smooth and calming, providing a base of softness and warmth. 

The faint sweetness of tonka bean enriches the dry-down with its warm, vanilla-like essence, while coriander introduces a subtle spice, lending the fragrance a hint of intrigue and mystery. Finally, benzoin offers a balsamic, sweet, and resinous finish, rounding out the composition with its calming, slightly smoky quality. This rich, complex base anchors the fragrance, giving it a sensual depth that lingers long after the initial spray. Together, these ingredients create a truly luxurious and indulgent scent, embodying the classic allure of a rich white floral bouquet.

Product Line:

The Ivana line extended beyond perfume into body care products, offering a complete sensory experience. This included parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, body cream, bubbling bath oil, body lotion, silky body powder, and body shampoo, each product designed to complement the luxurious feel of the fragrance and create a cohesive brand image centered around indulgence and elegance.

In 1999, Ivana Trump introduced a cologne that was initially intended to be called "The Donald," presumably to capitalize on her then-husband's public persona. However, Donald Trump objected to her use of his name for commercial purposes, forcing Ivana to change the branding. The fragrance was eventually marketed as "Ivana For Men," still retaining her recognizable name but shifting the focus away from her ex-husband. The scent was likely designed to appeal to a broad male audience, reflecting a confident, masculine essence. In 2001, Ivana Trump filed to trademark the name "Ivanka" for use in various products, including fragrance. She claimed that the name had been in commercial use since 1998, possibly in reference to her daughter’s burgeoning influence, further solidifying her brand’s reach in the fragrance market and beyond.

Donald Trump the Fragrance:

"Donald Trump the Fragrance" was launched in 2004, marking a significant step in the businessman's expansion into the world of luxury goods. Created in collaboration with Estée Lauder, the fragrance was crafted by renowned perfumer Annie Buzantian, known for her work on many iconic scents. The perfume was positioned as a symbol of success, luxury, and sophistication—qualities that Donald Trump believes himself to embody. It was designed to reflect a bold and confident personality, appealing to those who admire Trump’s projected public image of power and wealth. The fragrance came in an elegant bottle, featuring a modern design with a touch of opulence, echoing the upscale lifestyle that the Trump brand promotes. The partnership with Estée Lauder, a powerhouse in the beauty industry, allowed the fragrance to reach a wide audience, solidifying Trump’s position in the world of prestige branding.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a woody aromatic fragrance for men. 

• Top notes: cucumber, black basil, mint and citruses
• Middle notes: spices, pepper, woods and herbs
• Base notes: spices, exotic woods and vetiver

Scent Profile:

As you first experience Donald Trump the Fragrance, the opening notes are refreshing and invigorating. The cool, watery scent of cucumber glides through the air with its crisp, slightly green aroma, reminiscent of a chilled cucumber salad on a summer day. It’s fresh and revitalizing, offering an immediate sense of clarity and vibrancy. The black basil adds an herbal, peppery sharpness, deepening the scent with a spicy green quality that feels both sophisticated and slightly mysterious. Mint enters the mix with a brisk, cooling effect, infusing the fragrance with an uplifting energy that makes the whole composition feel sharp and clean. The citrus notes – bright and zesty – add an extra layer of freshness, tangy and sharp, like the first burst of citrus juice when you peel an orange.

As the fragrance settles into its heart, it shifts into something warmer and more complex. The spices emerge with a soft heat, like a blend of cinnamon and cardamom, offering a rich, aromatic depth that feels invigorating and refined. The pepper adds a bit of bite, spicing things up with its sharp, invigorating note, while the woods begin to make their presence known. There’s a subtle earthiness here, like walking through a sun-dappled forest, where the warmth of the trees blends with the fresh air. The herbs bring a grounding effect, contributing a touch of greenery and sharpness, creating a balanced and sophisticated middle that conveys elegance and strength.

Finally, the base notes take hold, revealing a rich and deep foundation. The spices return, this time warmer and more rounded, creating a cozy, lingering warmth on the skin. The exotic woods are smooth and refined, their woody scent grounding the fragrance with an earthy richness. There's a smoothness to the woods, like walking through a dark, polished wood-paneled room. Vetiver offers a crisp, dry smokiness, enhancing the fragrance with its woody, earthy tone, adding a layer of rugged masculinity that lingers in the background, giving the composition its lasting, sophisticated finish. Together, these notes create a fragrance that is clean yet warm, fresh yet deep, embodying strength, confidence, and elegance.

Success by Trump:

Success by Trump was launched in 2011 under a licensing agreement with Five Star Fragrance, offering a fragrance that exudes confidence and ambition. Created by perfumer Yann Vasnier, Success embodies a blend of invigorating freshness and sophistication, capturing the essence of achievement and elegance in a bottle. With this fragrance, Donald Trump sought to craft a scent that appealed to men who have reached the pinnacle of success, combining fresh and bold elements with a deep, grounded base.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a woody aromatic fragrance for men. 

• Top notes: juniper, iced red currant and coriander
• Middle notes: bamboo leaves, frozen ginger and geranium
• Base notes: birch, vetiver, musk and tonka bean

 

Scent Profile:

As the fragrance opens, a refreshing and invigorating blast of juniper hits the senses, its clean, slightly piney note reminiscent of a brisk morning walk through a forest. The juniper's crispness is quickly joined by the iced red currant, offering a sharp, slightly tart burst of fruit that feels cool and refreshing, as if the scent were chilled in the air. The coriander adds a subtle spicy depth to the top, bringing a delicate herbal warmth to the sharp fruitiness, with its green, slightly citrusy scent offering just the right amount of zing. These top notes combine to create a vibrant and lively opening, both fresh and slightly aromatic.

As the fragrance begins to settle, the middle notes emerge with a soft, green bamboo leaf note, cool and delicate, evoking the gentle rustle of leaves swaying in a light breeze. This green freshness is accented by the icy, almost crystalline note of frozen ginger, which adds an invigorating spicy kick, sharp and zesty but tempered by the coolness that surrounds it. The presence of geranium introduces a subtle floral nuance, a soft, fresh, and slightly peppery scent that balances the cool freshness with a delicate warmth. These middle notes give the fragrance a light yet dynamic complexity, effortlessly blending freshness with a hint of spicy florals.

The fragrance then moves into its base, where the smoky, slightly leathery note of birch anchors the composition with a warm, woody depth. Its dry, resinous quality is immediately comforting, lending a rustic, almost masculine strength to the fragrance. The earthy, grounding presence of vetiver follows, adding an aromatic, grassy richness that evokes the sensation of walking through a lush, damp forest floor. The underlying sensuality of musk emerges next, its soft, animalic warmth blending seamlessly with the other base notes, adding depth and smoothness. Finally, the sweet, creamy richness of tonka bean rounds out the fragrance with a gentle, vanilla-like sweetness that gives the composition a rounded, comforting finish.

Altogether, Success by Trump unfolds as a woody aromatic fragrance with layers of freshness, spice, and warmth, each note building upon the last to create a balanced and sophisticated scent. The fragrance feels simultaneously invigorating and grounded, perfect for a man who desires a scent that is both energizing and enduring. The cool, fresh opening transitions into a complex, dynamic heart, and finally settles into a warm, earthy base that lingers with quiet confidence.

Ivanka Trump by Ivanka Trump:

Ivanka Trump by Ivanka Trump, launched in 2012, reflects a fragrance that combines classic elegance with modern sophistication, fitting for a woman of Ivanka Trump's stature. Developed in collaboration with perfumers Jennifer Mullarkey and Marypierre Julien, the fragrance exudes a sense of confidence and refinement, capturing the essence of Ivanka's polished public persona. The perfume was created with the intention of offering a balanced scent profile that feels fresh, feminine, and accessible, yet undeniably luxurious, appealing to a wide range of women who seek a sophisticated signature scent.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral amber (floral oriental) fragrance for women.

• Top notes: apple, pink pepper and Italian bergamot
• Middle notes: peach, rose and jasmine
• Base notes: vanilla, amber, patchouli and cedar. 

Scent Profile:

Ivanka Trump by Ivanka Trump opens with a crisp and radiant burst of apple, its bright, slightly tart sweetness cutting through the air like the first bite of a fresh, juicy fruit. The apple introduces a refreshing and energetic quality, evoking the feeling of spring mornings or the first rays of sunlight peeking through the clouds. It’s joined by the warm, peppery spice of pink pepper, which adds a lively kick, a subtle but intriguing heat that dances lightly in the air. As the two notes mingle, the Italian bergamot brings a sophisticated citrus touch, fresh and zesty with a slightly bitter undertone, softening the apple's sweetness and creating a sense of balance, while evoking a serene, sunlit citrus grove.

The heart of the fragrance reveals the soft, velvety essence of peach, whose smooth, juicy fragrance evokes the feeling of a sun-warmed fruit pressed gently between fingers. It adds a lush, almost velvety sweetness that swells across the senses, bringing a comforting roundness to the composition. This is beautifully complemented by the timeless florals of rose and jasmine. The rose is rich and romantic, with a subtle powdery undertone that calls to mind the delicate, soft petals of a blooming flower, while the jasmine introduces a more heady, intoxicating quality, its sensual, almost creamy fragrance wrapping around the peach like a soft embrace, evoking the allure of twilight evenings.

As the fragrance settles into its base, a warm, enveloping wave of vanilla emerges, adding an unmistakable sweetness that brings comfort and sensuality to the scent. The amber adds depth with its resinous warmth, a golden warmth that is both inviting and intimate, enveloping the wearer like a soft cashmere sweater. Beneath it, the earthy, slightly woody patchouli adds a grounded, spicy edge, bringing an underlying richness to the fragrance, while cedar adds a dry, almost smoky note, reinforcing the sense of strength and structure within the composition. The base notes combine seamlessly, evoking a feeling of quiet elegance and confident sensuality, where the warmth of amber and vanilla wraps around the wearer, offering a soft, comforting aura.

Together, these notes create a floral amber fragrance that exudes femininity, warmth, and sophistication. It’s a fragrance that feels like a soft, yet confident embrace, warm and inviting yet subtly complex, evoking a sense of elegance and sensuality in every moment it lingers on the skin.

Empire:

Launched in 2015, Empire by Trump is a bold and contemporary fragrance that embodies power and luxury. With a composition that reflects strength and sophistication, it was designed to appeal to a modern, ambitious man who seeks a fragrance that complements his dominant presence. The scent blends warm, woody notes with spicy accents, creating a dynamic and assertive profile. Whether worn during a night out or for a special occasion, Empire captures the essence of success, exuding confidence and elegance with every spritz. The fragrance evokes an air of opulence, crafted to make a lasting impression.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a woody amber fragrance for men. 

• Top notes: apple, rich chai tea accord, peppermint
• Middle notes: orange blossom, jasmine
• Base notes: tonka bean, amber, musk

Scent Profile:

The fragrance opens with a crisp burst of apple, its sweet and fresh essence almost like biting into a perfectly ripe fruit, releasing an invigorating juiciness. It’s a light, uplifting introduction that gives way to the warmth of the chai tea accord. The spiced richness of the tea fills the air, offering a comforting warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and a dash of exotic cardamom, all gently swirling in a cozy, aromatic embrace. Then, a touch of peppermint cuts through the blend with its cool, sharp freshness, bringing a clean, refreshing breeze that lifts the other notes, adding depth and complexity to the opening.

As the fragrance settles into its heart, the orange blossom makes its entrance, delicate yet fragrant, bringing a soft, floral sweetness with a hint of citrus. It feels light and airy, almost like a garden in full bloom on a warm day. Jasmine follows, its intoxicating, heady floral character weaving through the scent like a luxurious silk ribbon. The jasmine’s richness adds a smooth sensuality, creating an elegant contrast to the sparkling freshness of the top notes.

In the drydown, tonka bean emerges, bringing a sweet, slightly smoky warmth that’s both deep and comforting. Its vanilla-like sweetness blends seamlessly with the sensuality of amber, adding a golden, resinous warmth that envelops the skin with a soft, velvety touch. Finally, musk grounds the composition, offering a clean yet sultry undertone that lingers, creating a lasting, sophisticated trail. Together, these base notes give Empire a robust, masculine richness, evoking an air of power and timeless elegance.

 

In conclusion, I leave you with a hilarious still from a bizarre video of Donald Trump accompanied by Rudy Giuliani dressed in drag.