Mirror Review
June 17, 2025
The Trump Organization has entered the telecommunications industry, launching “Trump Mobile” at a New York event.
Led by Donald Trump’s sons, this new initiative introduces a monthly phone plan and a signature smartphone.
But in a market dominated by giants like Apple and Samsung, can a brand-new player truly compete, especially when its “Made in America” promise is already facing questions?
A New Contender In The American Market
Announced at Trump Tower, the launch of Trump Mobile was timed exactly 10 years after Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign announcement.
Donald Trump Jr. positioned the service as an option for “real Americans” looking for “true value.”
This new venture is the latest in a series of business deals by the Trump family that use the former president’s name while he is in office.
What Does Trump Mobile Offer?
The new service comes with a distinct plan and a signature phone.
- The “47 Plan”
The monthly subscription is priced at $47.45, a clear reference to Donald Trump being the 45th and 47th U.S. President.
The plan includes:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Access to the networks of all three major U.S. carrier
- Added perks like telemedicine, roadside assistance, and international texting to over 100 countries
- The T1 Phone
The T1 is a gold-colored smartphone priced at $499, set to be released in August or September.
Key specifications include:
- 6.8-inch screen
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB storage
The “Made in America” Question Mark
A key selling point is the promise of a phone that will be “designed and built in the United States.”
However, this claim was immediately met with skepticism from industry experts.
The U.S. lacks the large-scale infrastructure and supply chain needed for domestic smartphone production, especially at a competitive price.
For context, the only existing U.S.-made phone, the Liberty by Purism, retails for $1,999. Its CEO, Todd Weaver, dismissed Trump Mobile’s claims as “classic vaporware.”
Even Eric Trump admitted during a podcast that the first phones might not be U.S.-made, suggesting a more likely scenario: assembly in America using imported parts.
How Does the Price Compare?
Despite its extra perks, Trump Mobile’s $47.45/month fee is significantly higher than some established budget options. For comparison:
- Visible (by Verizon) and Boost Mobile offer unlimited plans for just $25 per month.
- T-Mobile and Spectrum provide similar plans for about $30 a month.
- Xfinity offers unlimited monthly data plans for as little as $30.
- Smaller providers like Google Fi and Consumer Cellular also offer cheap plans.
The Business Behind the Brand
It’s important to note that the Trump Organization is not manufacturing the phone or operating the network. Instead, the venture is a licensing deal.
The Trump name is licensed to T1 Mobile LLC, a Florida-based company formed in April.
This business model is known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). MVNOs buy network capacity from major carriers to target niche markets.
This strategy has seen success before, most notably with actor Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile, which was acquired by T-Mobile for $1.35 billion.
Trump’s History of Branding and Controversy
This is not the first time the Trump name has been licensed for a consumer product.
Over the years, we’ve seen everything from Trump Meme Coin, Trump Steaks and Trump Vodka to more recent launches like Trump-branded Bibles and sneakers.
Each of these ventures has kept the Trump brand in the spotlight—and often at the center of debate.
The latest launch, however, is raising new concerns. Critics argue that launching a telecom brand while holding office crosses ethical lines.
Legal experts are calling this a worrying precedent.
For instance, Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law professor, remarked, “This is the sort of thing you’d see in a banana republic.”
The Final Word: Can Trump Mobile Succeed?
Entering the wireless space isn’t easy. MVNOs make up a small slice of the market and often struggle to build a lasting customer base.
Analysts suggest Trump Mobile would need over 1 million subscribers to make a real financial impact.
That’s a steep hill, especially with a higher price point, a new phone with uncertain origins, and stiff competition like Apple and Samsung.
Still, the Trump brand has defied expectations before. Whether that momentum can translate into telecom success remains to be seen.
So will Trump Mobile become a new power player—or just another short-lived celebrity-branded product?
Only time will tell!
