The Trump Organization, the family business overseen by Donald Trump’s sons, is making a bold leap into the competitive U.S. telecommunications market with the launch of a new branded mobile phone service called “Trump Mobile” and a gold-colored smartphone, “The T1 Phone.” This venture is the latest in a series of efforts to monetize the former president’s powerful brand and political following.
Introducing Trump Mobile Service: ‘The 47 Plan’
The new wireless service is officially named “The 47 Plan.” It’s priced at $47.45 per month, a figure seen as a direct nod to Donald Trump’s status as both the 45th and potentially the 47th U.S. president. The company states the service operates on the network coverage of the three major nationwide carriers – Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T – promising 5G connectivity across the United States.
Key features of “The 47 Plan” are designed to appeal to its target audience, which the company describes as “hard-working Americans.” These include:
Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data: Providing core connectivity needs (though unlimited texting may be subject to data limits).
Comprehensive Coverage: Leveraging infrastructure from the nation’s largest networks.
US-Based Customer Support: Emphasizing domestic service and jobs.
Military Family Perks: Offering discounted, and in some cases free, international calling to over 100 countries for families with members serving overseas.
- Bundled Services: Plans are described as an “entire package” potentially including additional benefits like roadside assistance and telehealth services.
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The Trump Mobile service is reportedly available immediately. Interested customers can sign up by calling 888-TRUMP45, with no contracts or credit checks required.
Meet The T1 Phone: A Gold ‘American-Made’ Smartphone
Alongside the mobile service, the Trump Organization is rolling out its own branded device, “The T1 Phone.” This smartphone is easily recognizable by its distinctive gold casing, featuring an American flag and “T1” inscribed on the back.
Marketed as a premium yet accessible device, “The T1 Phone” is priced at $499, requiring a $100 down payment. Specifications include a 6.8-inch display, a 50MP camera, 256 gigabytes of storage, a 5000mAh battery, and notably, a built-in headphone jack – a feature missing from many modern flagships.
While promoted as being “made-in-America” and reflecting customer values, the reality of global smartphone manufacturing suggests significant production would likely occur overseas, given the complex supply chains and cost structures involved. The T1 Phone is currently available for pre-order, with expected release dates cited in reports ranging from August to September.
Targeting Values in a Crowded Market
The Trump Organization leadership, including Eric Trump, has expressed excitement about entering this “new digital space.” They position Trump Mobile as a service that “reflects [Americans’] values and delivers reliable quality,” aiming to “change the game” and build on the “movement to put America first.” The emphasis on US-based operations and specific features like military calling aligns with this stated mission to appeal to a patriotic, potentially conservative, customer base.
However, the company enters a fiercely competitive landscape. The U.S. mobile phone market is dominated by three giants – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – which together control over 95% of wireless subscribers and offer plans starting below $40 per month. While there’s a growing niche for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that lease network access (like the successful Mint Mobile, which T-Mobile acquired for $1.35 billion), even the largest MVNOs serve less than 10 million subscribers.
Similarly, the smartphone market is highly saturated, with Apple and Samsung accounting for the vast majority of sales. Introducing a new, mid-range priced device against these titans, especially with manufacturing complexities, presents a significant challenge.
Ethical Concerns Resurface
The launch of Trump Mobile immediately reignited concerns among ethics watchdogs regarding potential conflicts of interest and the appearance of profiting from the Trump name, particularly if Donald Trump were to return to office. Critics point out that the Trump family business is now operating in a heavily regulated sector – telecommunications – which falls under the purview of federal agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), called it “unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office.” Concerns include whether customers might subscribe hoping to gain influence and how a potential President Trump would handle policies and regulations impacting an industry his family now has a direct stake in. This raises a particularly difficult scenario for regulatory officials responsible for overseeing the sector.
The Trump Organization did not respond to questions about its business partner or criticisms regarding potential ethical issues raised by the venture. The company maintains that Donald Trump’s business interests are managed in a trust run by his children and that he acts in the interest of all Americans.
A Broader Brand Strategy
This move into mobile telecommunications is part of a larger, evolving business strategy by the Trump Organization. Long known for licensing his name for real estate and hospitality projects, the former president has significantly expanded this approach since entering politics. Recent ventures leveraging the Trump brand include Bibles, watches, sneakers, fragrances, meme coins, and even a social media platform (Truth Social), which reportedly accounted for a significant portion of his recent reported income exceeding $600 million. Forbes estimated his net worth doubled to $5.1 billion in the past year, partly attributing the surge to his dedicated following. Trademark filings for “Trump” and “T1” in relation to telecom services further underscore the intent to build this brand presence in the sector.
The launch of Trump Mobile, announced at Trump Tower on the 10th anniversary of Trump’s first presidential campaign launch, signifies a significant step for the organization into the digital media and telecommunications space, seeking to leverage political affinity into market share in a highly competitive industry.
