Donald Trump has entered the mobile phone market with a new product called the T1 Phone, drawing attention and varied reactions on social media.The US president’s company announced on Monday the launch of Trump Mobile, a new mobile phone business set to offer a gold-coloured handset and wireless service by August. The phone is priced at $499 and will come with a $47.45 monthly plan called “The 47 Plan”, a nod to Trump’s terms as the 45th and 47th president.But while the company hopes to cash in on patriotism and brand loyalty, critics are piling on. Social media users on platform X quickly turned the announcement into a meme fest. “My friend just bought a Trump Mobile phone. It only allows you to text in CAPS, the payment has to be made out to cash, the spell check misspells every word, and Siri is Laura Loomer,” joked one user.Another added, “Google Maps only sends you to hell, and if you type anything truthful the phone deletes your data and tasers you.”Some mocked the branding itself: “Does anyone else see the sheer irony embedded in the words ‘Trump smart phone’?”The phone will reportedly be manufactured by another company, not Trump Mobile itself, and the service will be powered by existing networks, likely Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, although specific partnerships have not been confirmed. The phone includes unlimited calls, texts and data, along with roadside assistance and telehealth services.This isn’t Trump’s first attempt at selling consumer products. His most recent financial disclosure shows millions in earnings from selling Trump-branded watches, books, sneakers and fragrances. In the past year, he made $3 million from “Save America” books, $2.8 million from watches, and $2.5 million from other merchandise.Critics have also pointed to ethical concerns. Trump has previously used the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates telecom services, to target media outlets he opposes. Some fear this business could now distort public policy in his favour.Trump’s last mobile venture involved promoting ACN, a multi-level marketing firm that was later sued for fraud. Other branding efforts, such as hotel chains American Idea and Scion, also flopped.Despite this, the Trump brand is expanding aggressively in his second term, with recent investments in crypto, real estate in Vietnam and the Middle East, and now telecom.
