Donald Trump is attempting to prevent a California winery, which openly supports Republicans, from using one of his well-known political slogans, as revealed by the Daily Mail. Despite the winery’s strong allegiance to the former president, a legal battle has ensued.
Based in Monterey, Republican Red Winery is known for its wines that celebrate Trump-inspired themes, such as ‘Drill Baby Drill’ and ‘Drain the Swamp’ Chardonnays. They also offer a limited edition ‘Epic Fury’ red wine, released in response to Trump’s actions against Iran, priced at $124 for a magnum.
However, despite its dedication to Trump, the winery’s owner, Paul Johnson, is currently facing a trademark dispute with Trump himself, centered around a wine named ’45-47 Republican Red Special Edition.’
Documents obtained by the Daily Mail indicate that three companies associated with Trump—DTTM Operations, Trump Wine Marks LLC, and CIC Operations—have filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the winery’s trademark.
The trademark in question was registered in June 2025, but according to the filings, Trump’s legal team claims they only recently became aware of it. Consequently, they are now taking steps to safeguard the ’45-47′ branding, which symbolizes Trump as both the 45th and potentially 47th president, and is featured on a variety of official merchandise.
His lawyers have now moved to protect the ’45-47′ branding – a reference to Trump serving as both the 45th and 47th president, which now appears on a range of official merchandise.
The petition argues that Johnson’s trademark could create a ‘false suggestion of a connection’ to Trump, who famously abstains from alcohol despite lending his name to Trump-branded wines.
It also claims the label could create consumer confusion by falsely implying Trump had endorsed or was connected to the wine.
Donald Trump’s legal team is seeking to cancel the trademark for a California wine, despite the branding being pro-Trump, the Daily Mail can reveal
Republican Red Winery, based in Monterey and owned by Paul Johnson, is facing a trademark challenge over its use of their ’45-47′ branding on their Chardonnay and red wines
It specifically cites ‘false suggestion of a connection, ‘false endorsement,’ and ‘likelihood of confusion’.
The dispute is particularly awkward because Johnson has repeatedly promoted Trump and framed his winery as a conservative alternative in the wine industry.
Promotional photos from its website and social media show Johnson alongside famous Republicans such as Ron DeSantis as well as conservative news pundits, posing with the branded bottles.
Online, the description of the wine at the center of the trademark battle reads: ‘Our 45-47 Pinot Noir is a powerful nod to resilience, legacy, and the bold return of a leader who never stopped fighting for America.
‘Celebrating Donald J. Trump as the 45th and 47th President, this wine honors a legacy shaped by courage and conviction.’
Johnson set up the winery five years ago and has been on a wave of publicity recently with the right-wing media.
But the legal challenge comes as the business owner simultaneously claims his company has faced resistance from distributors and retailers unwilling to carry a wine brand so openly aligned with Republicans.
Johnson has used recent appearances on Fox News and Newsmax to discuss the resistance that has resulted in him selling online directly to the consumer.
Winery owner Paul Johnson, pictured with Republican governor Ron DeSantis, says his conservative wine brand has struggled to secure retail distribution because of its overt Republican identity
The winery markets MAGA-themed wines that carry names such as ‘Never Surrender’ or ‘Drain the Swamp’
Fox News advertised the show on Instagram stating: ‘The woke mob is now targeting Republican Red Winery.’
Earlier this month, Johnson was interviewed by Newsmax host Todd Starnes on his radio show, where Johnson revealed: ‘The retail stores won’t carry us, they won’t allow us in there.
‘That’s why we’re an online company only because the word “Republican” is in our name and they’re afraid that the Libs here in California and across the country will come in and make a stink about it,’ he added.
Johnson and his company did not respond to the Daily Mail’s repeated requests for comment.
The petition was filed by Trump’s lawyer Michael Santucci of 500Law, based in Fort Lauderdale, who also didn’t reply to a comment request.
This is the second time in recent months that Trump has taken legal action against a firm that he considers to be violating his brand.
In March, the Daily Mail reported that Trump had opposed a Chinese clothing firm trademarking his initials ‘DJT’ to sell dresses, tops, and other outfits online for 12 years.
Intellectual property attorney Raymond Panneton, from Shackelford, McKinley, and Norton LLP in Houston, said the challenge reflects how aggressively Trump protects his brand, even against supporters.
Johnson has used recent appearances on conservative media (pictured) to promote his wine and discuss the resistance from mainstream retailers who allegedly refuse to carry the brand
‘The Trump name has been a well-known brand long before the president announced his 2016 bid for the White House,’ Panneton said.
‘In curating his brand, the Trump family has focused on high-end and luxury products, which they feel compliment the Trump name.
‘This requires the Trump family to challenge marks in order to maintain control over quality and optics, as we are seeing with the challenge to the 45-47 Wine.
‘A brand this well protected does not like to have items associated with the Trump name which they cannot control.’
