A President’s Shameless Cash Grab
An old AT&T phone company slogan was “Reach Out and Touch Someone.” With Donald Trump’s convictions, he couldn’t use that in his newly-launched grift. The Trump Organization’s latest venture, Trump Mobile, is a brazen attempt to monetize the MAGA movement under the guise of patriotism and innovation. Priced at $47.45 per month—a not-so-subtle nod to Donald Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th president—the plan is more expensive than comparable offerings from established carriers like Visible ($25/month) or Mint Mobile ($30/month) . The accompanying $499 gold-plated “T1 Phone,” emblazoned with an American flag and Trump’s campaign slogan, is little more than a gaudy prop designed to extract cash from loyal supporters. This isn’t just another business venture; it’s a grift disguised as a service, exploiting the very people who propelled Trump to power.
What makes Trump Mobile particularly galling is its timing. The announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of Trump’s presidential campaign launch, turning a political milestone into a sales pitch . Eric Trump, who is spearheading the project alongside his brother Donald Jr., claims the service will “revolutionize cell phones” with American-made devices and U.S.-based customer support . Yet, the website’s fine print admits that the Trump Organization has no actual role in designing, manufacturing, or distributing the products—it’s merely a licensing deal, another low-risk scheme to profit off the family name .
The ethical implications are staggering. A sitting president should not be using his office to hawk overpriced phones and telecom services, especially when his administration oversees the regulatory body (the FCC) that governs the industry . This isn’t just a conflict of interest; it’s a blatant merging of public service and private gain. Trump’s defenders might argue that his sons are running the business, but the reality is that the Trump brand—and by extension, the presidency—is being leveraged to sell a product. The $8 million Trump reportedly made from licensing deals in 2024 proves that this is a pattern, not an anomaly .
Worse still, Trump Mobile is part of a broader trend of the Trump family monetizing their political influence. From $399 sneakers to $60 Bibles, they’ve turned the MAGA movement into a lucrative merchandise empire . Supporters are treated not as citizens, but as marks in a never-ending con. The fact that Trump is pushing this venture while inflation squeezes working-class Americans—many of whom form his base—only underscores the hypocrisy.
Presidents are supposed to serve the public, not exploit it. Trump Mobile is a stark reminder that for Donald Trump, the Oval Office has always been a branding opportunity. It’s time for his supporters to ask themselves: Are they customers or constituents? Because in Trump’s America, the distinction is fading fast.
