Read the below untold, behind-the-scenes story of the Donald Trump Piñata video.
A few weeks ago I was on a WindowsWear business trip with Mike Niemtzow & Raul Tovar in Los Angeles, and before heading to the airport Raul and I passed a vendor selling a Donald Trump piñata. I knew I had to buy it, it looked amazing and hilarious, and I had never seen a Donald Trump piñata before. I also knew I had to take it back with me to NYC, where Donald Trump is from and lives. The piñata was huge, it is about 3.5 feet tall and it only cost $18. I had to buy it quickly, as I only had a couple hours before our flight was taking off.
The night I got back to NYC, the 3rd Presidential debate was on TV, and I noticed the piñata had an uncanny resemblance to Donald Trump.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10107860566623339
Donald Trump is a very controversial figure, you either love him or hate him, and I was pondering what to do with my spontaneous purchase and cross-country journey of my Donald Trump piñata. Many people wanted me or asked me to smash the piñata, but I said to myself I need to figure out a way to use it for universal good, and wanted to do something with it that everyone would agree with.
I then had the idea to use it for charity, and would take it around the streets of NYC asking people to donate. Since Donald Trump is a billionaire, I thought to use him as a symbol for helping make rich the least fortunate of our society (i.e. the homeless). Also, since Donald Trump made some outrageous comments about Mexicans, I thought eventually when we would have to break and shake the piñata, that would be the perfect symbol for getting the money out of Donald Trump. Regardless of what your political views are, I thought everyone can take part and enjoy different aspects of the video (I wanted to make a video everyone can value and enjoy, even Donald Trump himself or even Hillary Clinton).
Last week we taped this video in crowded areas like Macy’s in Herald Square, Times Square, 5th Avenue, and Trump Tower. I thought it would be a fun way to interact with New Yorkers, and wanted to get different people’s reactions as I asked them to donate. I got many interesting and hilarious reactions. Halfway through the video you will see I took it to Trump Tower, and there was a huge protest there with many Donald Trump supporters. Half of the supporters loved the piñata and the other half hated it, and as people were either clapping at me or yelling at me, I just kept my mouth quiet (none of the Donald Trump supporters at Trump Tower donated).
The video was filmed primarily in the streets of NYC but the part when I’m taking the money out was filmed inside at at my office on 34th Street and 5th Avenue. I was able to raise about $75 within 3 hours, and then divided the money into three plastic cups and then handed it three different homeless people on the street. To me, the most important aspect of doing this was getting others engaged and inspired to give and participate in the act of charity in a fun and creative way.
Thank you to Ipek Civicakan for helping film the video.