That's exactly what it is. Reagan wasn't playing a part when he endorsed the product, he was getting paid to get people to buy a product because he, Reagan, endorsed it. I'm not against doing this, but I also don't see a lot of difference what Reagan did, using his name to sell cigarettes or Trump using his name to get people to buy real estate.
And - as far as I know - Reagan did smoke - and thought Chesterfields a fine cigarette.
Trump was NOT involved with the investment he rented out his name to - it was not a case of “Trump endorses this” more of “Buy this from Trump (but Trump is not actually involved other than in cashing our check allowing us to temporarily use his name).
When they bought it under the Trump name - they no doubt assumed its resale value would also reflect the “value” of the Trump name - only to have that ‘asset’ removed once their money was secure and Trump cashed his check.
When someone bought Chesterfield cig’s - there was no loss of value associated with Reagan pulling a “psych - I don't really smoke them - they are a lousy cigarette - they only used my name temporarily for a fee”.
Nope - as far as I know - Reagan STILL (posthumously) endorses smoking Chesterfields!