'Make America Great Again' is great for Shore T-shirt shops

The T-shirt election on the Jersey Shore boardwalks is indicating a clear winner - Donald Trump.

Or maybe, as Arie Naccache said as he stood outside his Wildwood shop, people just "like the jokey ones."

For whatever reason, visitors at the Shore are snapping up shirts with pro-Trump themes more frequently than those backing the Republican presidential candidate's expected Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. And, yes, there's a wide variety of shirts with Trump's trademark slogan, "Make America Great Again."

At Naccache's shop, the best seller is a graphic tee bearing the words "Make America Great Again" with an image of Trump and Clinton riding a motorcycle in front of the White House - with Clinton falling off the back of the bike.

The same political themes and shopping trends are seen in T-shirt shops in Ocean City and Atlantic City.

Chris Davis, a worker at the C-Club Boardwalk store in Atlantic City, estimated that sales at his shop are running 70 percent for Trump and 30 percent for Clinton. Among the pro-Trump shirts: "Trump for President." But also, "Hillary Clinton for Prison 2016."

And then there are some too risqué to wear in polite company.

"Some people say, 'Don't sell these,' or 'You shouldn't sell this stuff,' " Davis said, adding that people who have strong political views are unhappy seeing T-shirts supportive of the other side. But, he said, the shop is happy to sell any T-shirts a customer wants.

Not all of the T-shirts are overtly partisan. Some are just whimsical.

In Wildwood, one of the most popular depicts Trump with his hair transformed into a bald eagle, with the caption, "Trump: We shall overcomb."

In Atlantic City, one fast-selling T-shirt portrays Trump opening his jacket to reveal a Superman symbol underneath.

Not so popular, vendors say, are "Hillary Clinton for President 2016" and another saying "Dump Trump" over a pile of poop.

Strategically, the political shirts are displayed at the front of the shops, drawing passersby on the boardwalks.

Some stop by to take photos with the shirts or of them, or to admire and laugh at their selections.

And if T-shirts are not your thing, there are hats and coloring books featuring Trump and Clinton or their slogans.

Jessica Wilson, who works at JoJo's C-Club in Ocean City, says while there are buyers for shirts favoring both candidates, even at her shop Trump is doing better.

"Seems like everyone wants Trump [T-shirts], and any ones against Hillary," she said.

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eserpico@philly.com