Continuing the Trump family tradition of profiting off the presidency, the Trump Organization—a holding company for MAGA Republican President Donald Trump's remaining businesses—announced a new cellular phone service and cell phone on Monday, June 16.
The new venture set up social media accounts and posted their arrival online, as well as with an announcement before the press. Both Don Jr. and Eric noted their phones and cell service were for "real Americans" and "hard-working Americans."
They stated a host of other services, like telehealth and roadside assistance, would be available. Of note is when Trump Media & Technology Group launched Truth Social, the Trump Organization also claimed a whole host of other services were coming soon, but none ever materialized.
Both launches heavily leaned into the America First branding Trump trades on.
Trump Mobile will reportedly offer "The 47 Plan" for $47.45 per month—an homage to Trump presidencies arranged to their monetary advantage with 47 placed before 45. Eric and Donald Trump Jr. announced the phone plan while also repeatedly touting their organization's move into tech and crypto.
You can watch a clip of Don Jr. and Eric Trump's announcement here:
They failed to mention this move was precipitated by the Trump Organization's multiple instances of financial and business fraud that led to a judgment in New York v. Trump stripping them of their New York business licenses and requiring a number of business holdings to be dissolved.
Many likened it to the prior fraud ruling on Trump Charities, requiring the family to get out of the nonprofit space after repeatedly misappropriating funds.
Trump Mobile is also slated to launch a gold Android phone, the T1 Phone, according to its website.
Trump Mobile
The phones for Americans message was echoed with quotes from the Trump brothers on their website.
The quote attributed to Don Jr. is:
"Trump Mobile is going to change the game, we’re building on the movement to put America first, and we will deliver the highest levels of quality and service. Our company is based right here in the United States because we know it’s what our customers want and deserve."
Almost all of the major carriers Trump Mobile will compete with are also based right here in the United States.
While Eric's website quote is:
"I'm incredibly excited to step into this new digital space, hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that's affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on. We're especially proud to offer free long-distance calling to our military members and their families—because those serving overseas should always be able to stay connected to the people they love back home."
Also found on their website was this disclaimer:
"Trump Mobile, its products and services are not designed, developed, manufactured, distributed or sold by The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals. T1 Mobile LLC uses the 'Trump' name and trademark pursuant to the terms of a limited license agreement which may be terminated or revoked according to its terms."
The reception was less than great for the latest Trump money grab.
Some observant people noticed the Trump Mobile website included coverage on the "Gulf of Mexico."
Others noted the success of other Trump branded products and services.
@JohnFeal1/X
@teesman/Bluesky
It didn't take long for analysts and experts to suss out the double-speak in the Trump brother's claims.
The Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel told MSNBC's Power Lunch the reality of Trump Mobile would be different than the hype.
Patel explained:
"I think what we have here is a lot of bluster over what amounts to a mobile virtual network operator, MVNO, a rebrand of T-Mobile's network, and what will almost certainly be a skinned Chinese Android phone."
You can watch his rebuttal here:
Patel noted:
"You know, like so many things in Trump world, it's important to carefully parse what they're actually saying. The only thing they're specifically claiming that will happen in the United States is the call center will be in Saint Louis."
"Eric Trump... said eventually all the phones will be made in America. That's a long eventually..."
Patel also noted the $47.45 monthly fee was over $32 more than most introductory offer prepaid plans and $12 more than a "full freight" prepaid plan with any existing major carrier.
Looks like another day, another grift.
@IrnaEnglish/X
