Trump Organization launches mobile service to rival major telecoms

In a recent announcement, the Trump Organization introduced Trump Mobile, a new cell phone service aiming to compete with established telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The announcement came on Monday, June 16, 2025, at an event in New York, coinciding with Donald Trump's ten-year anniversary of his presidential candidacy announcement. The service will feature a monthly plan priced at $47.45, which includes unlimited calls, text, and data, and offers free international calls to over 100 countries. This plan is named the '47 Plan' in recognition of Trump's unique status as the 47th and previously the 45th president of the United States. Along with the service, the organization will release a smartphone, called the T1 Phone, retailing at $499. This phone will be embellished with patriotic imagery and designed to be manufactured in the U.S. According to Eric Trump, one of the key figures in the venture, the company is dedicated to a focus on American-made products and services, including providing customer support locally rather than outsourcing services. The launch signifies a further expansion of the Trump family's business interests into the tech industry, emphasizing a wide range of features such as telemedicine and roadside assistance integrated with the mobile service. The timing of this launch raises ethical questions, as it closely parallels Donald Trump's ongoing tenure as president, creating concerns over the blurred lines between public service and private enterprise. This connection is further emphasized by the branding aligned intimately with Trump himself, raising potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, analysts have noted the move could be part of a broader strategy to monetize the family brand while leveraging the political influence they hold, especially given the political climate in the U.S. With no contract or credit check necessary to enroll in the service, Trump Mobile appears designed to attract a diverse customer base, particularly among those who feel underserved by current mobile providers. The marketing surrounding the launch promotes these features, alongside a commitment to ensuring American manufacturing and labor are priorities. This announcement is significant as it showcases how political figures are exploring technology and new markets, particularly as entrepreneurship around digital services grows. Trump Mobile's introduction will undoubtedly be closely examined in the context of the existing telecom landscape and could potentially create disruptions in pricing and service models in the industry where companies historically dominate.