Trump Organization Launches Trump Mobile

On June 16, 2025, the Trump Organization, led by the sons of U.S. President Donald Trump, announced its entry into the telecommunications market with the launch of Trump Mobile, a new mobile service and a $499 smartphone dubbed the T1. The announcement, made by Donald Trump Jr. at a press conference in New York’s Trump Tower, marks a significant expansion of the Trump family’s business ventures, capitalizing on the president’s brand as the 45th and 47th U.S. president. The move has sparked both interest and skepticism, given the competitive U.S. telecom market and questions about the feasibility of the T1 phone’s “Made in America” claim. Here’s what you need to know about Trump Mobile and its offerings.

Trump Mobile’s “47 Plan”: A Premium Service with Added Perks Trump Mobile’s flagship offering, named the “47 Plan” in a nod to President Trump’s current term as the 47th U.S. president, is priced at $47.45 per month (approximately HK$370).

Donald Trump Jr. highlighted the plan’s value, stating, “We are introducing an entire package of products where people can get telemedicine, roadside assistance, and unlimited texting to 100 countries for one flat monthly fee.” However, the $47.45 price tag is notably higher than competitors like Verizon’s Visible ($25/month) or Mint Mobile ($30/month for a 12-month unlimited plan), raising questions about its competitiveness in a crowded market.

The T1 Smartphone: A Gold-Colored, “Made in America” Device Set to launch in August 2025 (though the website mentions September), the T1 smartphone is priced at $499 (approximately HK$3,892) and is available for pre-order with a $100 deposit. Marketed as a “sleek, gold smartphone engineered for performance and proudly designed and built in the United States,”

While the Trump Organization emphasizes the T1’s U.S. manufacturing, industry experts have expressed skepticism. Eric Trump noted that the phones will “eventually” be built in the U.S., but no clear timeline or manufacturing partner was disclosed. Given the high costs and complex supply chains of domestic smartphone production, analysts like Todd Weaver, CEO of Purism, have called the $499 price point “classic vaporware,” suggesting it may be unrealistic for a U.S.-made device.

A Licensing Venture with Ethical Concerns Trump Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), piggybacking on the networks of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile rather than building its own infrastructure. The Trump Organization is not directly involved in designing, manufacturing, or operating the service or phone; instead, T1 Mobile LLC, a Florida-based entity, licenses the “Trump” name under a limited agreement. The lack of transparency about T1 Mobile LLC’s operations and its financial ties to the Trump family has raised eyebrows.

The venture has also sparked ethical concerns. Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig criticized it as part of a pattern where “President Trump considers the presidency a vehicle to grow his family’s wealth.” The $47.45 price and “47 Plan” branding overtly reference Trump’s presidency, potentially blurring the lines between his business interests and executive authority. Critics, including Robert Weissman of Public Citizen, warn that rival companies may face pressure not to undercut Trump Mobile’s pricing, especially given Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on non-U.S.-manufactured smartphones, which could benefit the T1 phone if it is indeed made domestically.

Market Challenges and Past Ventures The U.S. telecom market is dominated by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, with MVNOs like Mint Mobile holding just 3-4% of subscriptions due to high customer churn. Trump Mobile’s success may hinge on its appeal to conservative consumers, with marketing emphasizing “American pride” and “values.” However, the Trump Organization’s history of failed licensing ventures—such as Trump Vodka, Trump Steaks, and Trump University—casts doubt on its staying power. Technical issues, like reported pre-order website errors, and the lack of clarity about the T1’s chipset or screen resolution further fuel skepticism about its competitiveness against established brands like Apple and Samsung.