U.S. President Donald Trump’s family has unveiled a mobile phone service and smartphone brand, dubbed Trump Mobile. The announcement, made at Trump Tower in New York, introduces a $499 (approximately Ksh.64,000) “sleek, gold” smartphone and a new mobile network service priced at $47.45 (Ksh.6,100) per month an intentional nod to Trump’s status as the 47th U.S. president.
The Trump-branded mobile service will operate as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), utilizing infrastructure from existing U.S. giants Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Trump Mobile promises a variety of perks including telemedicine, roadside assistance, and international texting to over 100 countries.
While the Trump Organization licensed its brand for the venture, it clarified it is not responsible for designing or manufacturing the device. The operating company, T1 Mobile LLC, remains relatively opaque, with limited public information about its leadership or operations. Registered in Florida in April, the firm is linked to attorney Stuart Kaplan, who declined to comment further.
Despite promotional claims that the Trump smartphone will be “made in America,” Eric Trump conceded during a podcast interview that initial batches may not be produced domestically. Given the high costs and logistical challenges of U.S.-based phone manufacturing, critics have questioned the feasibility of the venture. Todd Weaver, CEO of Purism a rare U.S. smartphone maker dismissed the $499 domestic production claim as “classic vapourware.”
The initiative adds to a growing list of Trump-branded products that have seen mixed success. Though the Trump Organization has previously stumbled with ventures like Trump Steaks and Trump University, it has generated over $600 million in income from licensing and crypto projects as of late 2024, according to recent financial disclosures.
Analysts remain skeptical about Trump Mobile’s profitability. With MVNOs making up only a small share of the U.S. market and high customer turnover, success may hinge on the brand’s ability to attract millions of subscribers.
Nonetheless, Trump Mobile represents the Trump family’s continued efforts to capitalize on its political fame and brand loyalty in the commercial sector.
