- Trump Mobile to run on major US networks as an MVNO, with plans for US-assembled phones
- Experts doubt profitability and question claims of domestic production at low cost
What happened: Trump Mobile enters telecom market with $499 phone
Donald Trump’s family business has officially launched a new mobile phone service called Trump Mobile. The service is linked to a new smartphone priced at $499. The announcement was made on 16 June 2025, at Trump Tower in New York City. This is the latest venture by the Trump Organization during the president’s second term. The new mobile service will use the networks of major US carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The company has not revealed full details about how the deal works or the financial terms involved.
In addition to the mobile service, the Trump family is introducing a new gold-coloured smartphone. The company says it will be “designed and built in the United States”. However, no information was given about which company will manufacture the phone or how the production will happen. Some Trump family members, like Eric Trump, have suggested that the first deliveries may not be made in the United States. While they claim all phones could eventually be made in America, the full details are still unclear. The new mobile plan will cost $47.45 per month, which is a nod to the fact that Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States.
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Why it’s important
This new business venture has raised concerns about whether Trump is using the presidency to benefit his family. The president’s financial disclosure showed that he earned over $600 million from licensing deals, cryptocurrencies, and other businesses before his second term began. Critics argue that these deals continue to add to his wealth while in office. Legal experts, such as Harvard Law School’s Lawrence Lessig, believe the Trump family is using the presidency as a tool for financial gain.
From a business standpoint, there is also skepticism surrounding the mobile venture. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Trump Mobile use other companies’ networks but rarely succeed in reaching large numbers of customers. Most MVNOs in the US have a small share of the market, with high customer turnover. Industry analysts say that Trump Mobile would need to attract at least one million subscribers to make a significant impact. However, this is difficult for celebrity-backed ventures. Additionally, the claim of manufacturing the smartphone in the US at such a low price has been questioned. Experts, including Todd Weaver from Purism, have called it “vaporware,” doubting that a US-made smartphone could be sold for $499.
