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Trump Family Unveils New Mobile Phone Venture Amid Ethical Concerns
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump family has announced a new business venture: a mobile phone service branded with the Trump name, adding to a growing list of commercial pursuits tied to the former president. Despite ongoing ethical scrutiny, the announcement marks yet another attempt to monetize Donald Trump's political brand.
Eric Trump, who oversees The Trump Organization during his father's presidency, revealed the launch of Trump Mobile on Monday. The initiative includes a smartphone—called the T1 Phone—and a wireless service known as T1 Mobile. The phone will be manufactured in the U.S., with customer support centers also based domestically.
The launch follows recent overseas business expansions, such as a golf course development in Qatar and a $1.5 billion real estate project in Vietnam. Though the latter was initiated before Trump’s election, the continued branding ventures raise familiar concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Regulatory implications loom large. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which oversees the mobile industry, has come under scrutiny for pursuing media outlets critical of Trump—some of which are being sued by him personally.
Eric Trump framed the new phone plan—named “The 47 Plan”, a nod to Trump’s position as the 45th and potentially 47th president—as a patriotic alternative in a crowded wireless market. “Hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that’s affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on,” he said.
The T1 Phone, priced at $499 and set to launch in August, features a gold-colored casing, an etched American flag, and the slogan “Make America Great.” However, the phone itself will be developed by a third-party manufacturer—not by Trump Mobile.
The mobile service will piggyback on the infrastructure of major U.S. carriers—likely Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—raising questions about regulatory favoritism. T1 Mobile will offer unlimited calls, texts, and data, along with perks like roadside assistance and telehealth access, for $47.45/month.
This is not the Trump brand’s first attempt to capitalize on its populist appeal. Earlier efforts to create mid-priced hotel chains like American Idea and Scion were short-lived. Still, the Trump Organization seems more emboldened in a second term, as the president’s financial disclosures show a rush to monetize his name—earning millions from branded books, watches, and sneakers.
While the Trump family is sticking to licensing to limit its liability, analysts say the service may struggle to appeal beyond the MAGA faithful.