NEW YORK, NY – The Trump Organization has announced its entry into the telecommunications market with a new wireless service called Trump Mobile and a branded $499 smartphone scheduled for a September launch.
Key Facts
- The ’47 Plan’ – The service is being offered as ‘The 47 Plan’ for a monthly fee of $47.45, a dual reference to Donald Trump being the 45th and 47th U.S. President.
- The ‘T1’ Smartphone – A $499 smartphone, named the ‘T1,’ will be sold as part of the venture and is slated to be ‘made in America,’ featuring a gold-colored case.
- Licensing Venture – Similar to other Trump-branded products, Trump Mobile is a licensing agreement, with a disclaimer stating the products are not designed or manufactured by The Trump Organization itself.
The announcement, made from Trump Tower, marks the latest business expansion for the Trump family, which has recently ventured into digital media and cryptocurrency. The move positions the brand to court conservative consumers in the highly competitive mobile industry.
What Does The ’47 Plan’ Include?
According to the new venture’s website and an announcement by Donald Trump Jr., the $47.45 monthly plan will provide subscribers with unlimited talk, text, and data. Beyond standard cellular service, the plan is advertised to include several additional benefits, such as roadside assistance and a “Telehealth and Pharmacy Benefit.” The plan will also feature unlimited texting to 100 countries and will be supported by call centers based in the United States.
The branding is explicitly tied to Donald Trump. The plan’s name and price reference his two terms as president, and a promotional screenshot of the new phone displays his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.
A ‘Made in America’ Smartphone Enters a Crowded Field
A key feature of the launch is the “T1” smartphone, priced at $499. The device is advertised with a distinctive gold-colored metal case etched with an American flag. While Donald Trump Jr. announced the phones would be “made in America,” this poses a significant challenge.
The U.S. smartphone market is dominated by global tech giants Apple and Samsung. Currently, there is no significant domestic infrastructure for smartphone production, with nearly all devices sold in the country manufactured overseas, primarily in Asia. High labor costs and complex supply chains are major hurdles for manufacturing phones in the U.S.
Furthermore, the mobile network market is controlled by three major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, which collectively hold over 95% of the market share. New services typically operate as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), leasing network access from one of the major carriers.
Another Licensing Deal for the Trump Brand
As with a number of other products bearing the Trump name, including sneakers and Bibles, Trump Mobile operates under a licensing agreement. A disclaimer on the company’s website clarifies the arrangement: “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.”
Recent filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by DTTM Operations LLC, the entity managing President Trump’s trademarks, seek to use his name and “T1” for a range of telecommunication services, including mobile phones, accessories, and potentially retail stores.
