Trump Organization unveils $499 gold phone raising new concerns on conflicts of interest
**Trump Organization Unveils $499 “Gold” Phone, Igniting Fresh Conflict of Interest Concerns**
**NEW YORK, NY – June 16, 2025** – The Trump Organization today announced its latest venture, a self-branded mobile phone dubbed “Trump Mobile,” featuring a $499 “sleek, gold smartphone” set to launch in August. While presented as a patriotic, “American-made” alternative to major carriers, the unveiling has immediately reignited concerns about potential conflicts of interest as Donald Trump serves his current term as U.S. President.
The new initiative, announced by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, includes a mobile service with a subscription plan priced at $47.45 per month – a clear nod to Trump’s 45th and now 47th presidencies. The company claims the “T1 Phone” will run on Google’s Android operating system, boast a 6.8-inch touchscreen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, and include a fingerprint sensor and AI Face Unlock. Trump Mobile also promises U.S.-based call centers and, notably, a provision for free international calling to over 100 countries, including those with American military bases, and services like roadside assistance and telemedicine.
However, the timing and nature of this new business endeavor, which is primarily a licensing agreement for the Trump name to a third-party telecom entity (T1 Mobile LLC), are drawing criticism from ethics watchdogs and political observers. Despite the Trump Organization stating that control of the company was handed to his children ahead of his inauguration, the deep ties between the family’s business ventures and the sitting president continue to raise red flags.
“This latest move raises more questions than answers,” said Paolo Pescatore, a TMT analyst at PP Foresight. “As always, the devil is in the detail given that it is unclear around the actual commercial relationship with the telecom players and so forth.”
Critics argue that the Trump Organization’s continued expansion into new sectors while Donald Trump occupies the White House creates an environment ripe for leveraging the presidency for personal financial gain. There are concerns that this could influence policy decisions or lead to unfair advantages in the marketplace, especially given the broad regulatory powers of government agencies over the telecommunications industry.
The Trump family has consistently defended their business activities, asserting that they are simply capitalizing on a well-known brand and providing services that appeal to their consumer base. Donald Trump Jr. stated, “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.” The company emphasizes that the phones will be “proudly designed and built in the United States.”
This latest venture follows a string of other new business initiatives by the Trump Organization, including expansions into digital media and cryptocurrency, and real estate deals in the Middle East and Vietnam. Trump’s recent financial disclosure report indicated significant earnings from various licensing agreements and crypto ventures in 2024.
As the Trump Mobile phones are set to hit the market in September, the debate over the ethical implications of the Trump Organization’s intertwined business and political interests is only likely to intensify.
