YouTube and Twitch streamer Ludwig Ahrens announced on X, formerly Twitter, his new prices for his merch. These are expected to be quite high because of the tariffs imposed by President Trump.
Who is this Twitch streamer? It’s about the American YouTube and Twitch streamer Ludwig Ahrens. On Twitch, he has over 3.3 million followers and entertains an average of 13,437 viewers per stream (via sullygnome). His streaming journey began on Twitch and he switched exclusively to YouTube for several years.
His success is not only spreading through social media. He regularly hosts events or participates in them. In 2024, he was awarded for his alleged “gaming skills”.
Ludwig also makes money from merch. He has now presented his supposedly new prices for the items offered.
Ludwig is a major Twitch streamer on the international scene. In the video, we present the 5 most relevant streamers on German Twitch:
“US influencers are struggling, it’s no joke”
Ludwig posted on X that he had just received the quotes for his merch and the prices were calculated based on the new [US] tariffs. He described them as “not so bad” and listed $74 (approximately 65 euros) for a T-shirt and $293 (approximately 257 euros) for a sweatshirt.
He further wrote: “I hope you continue to give me your money in these uncertain times.”
How is the post to be understood? It seems to be pure sarcasm on Ludwig’s part. This post is a humorous way to highlight what the tariffs imposed by President Trump on imports to the USA mean for production and also for the end consumer.
Presumably, the post is meant to parody influencers who ask for financial support during these difficult times, even though they are still doing well compared to many people. Under one comment, the streamer wrote: “US influencers are struggling, it’s no joke” (via X).
How did the community react? Most in the community understand Ludwig’s sarcasm and respond accordingly:
- Keno writes (via X): “Damn, your greed is out of control, man. You’ve really changed.” Ludwig replied (via X): “US influencers are struggling, it’s no joke”
- Wade Wilson is willing to pay even more (via X): “I would pay $400 for a sweatshirt, Ludwig,” to which Ludwig replies (via X): “I ordered 10,000 units, please consider spending more.”
- HorsieAttack thinks the price is still too low (via X): “Finally, a pricing strategy for merch that reflects American values, exclusivity, scarcity, and a touch of economic dystopia. You’re honestly selling it below its value, triple digits or it’s not real style.”
However, there are also a few voices that don’t seem to understand the sarcasm and probably think Ludwig is serious about the prices:
- North writes (via X): “Make them in the USA, just…”
- Bradd Buff thinks (via X): “Don’t make your merch in China.”
- Chatthoughts11 posted (via X): “No cheap child labor anymore for the rich guy.”
The actual prices of Ludwig’s merch are $40 for a T-shirt, $65 for a crewneck, and $78 for a shirt. While still in the higher price range, they are not at the level his joke suggested.
Ludwig repeatedly emphasizes in his streams that he has enough money, and he has set the maximum amount that can be donated to him in his streams to $5. His merch production may have also increased, but he probably would not ask these prices from his community. Live in a stream of his colleague, Ludwig was tricked into spending more money than he actually wanted: Twitch streamer who is constantly scammed gets tricked again – but for a good cause.
