Trump taking on Apple with his own phone company
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The Trump Organisation is licensing the Trump name for a new wireless mobile phone service that is being marketed to the president's supporters and puts the brand in competition with major US carriers such as AT&T and Verizon and smartphone makers such as Apple and Samsung. "A big part of what we've done … has been focused on technology for people who have been underserved, whether that's been in crypto or anything else, but one of the places where we felt there was lackluster performance was in the mobile industry," Donald Trump Jnr said at an event at Trump Tower in New York. A website for the project advertises a $US47.45 a month plan, an apparent reference to President Donald Trump's terms as the 47th and 45th president of the United States. Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas in May. (CNN) The Trumps emphasised the new mobile company's focus on American-made devices — a gold-hued "T1" smartphone was available for pre-order Monday for $499 — and US-based services. "You're not calling up call centres in Bangladesh," Eric Trump told Fox Business . "You're doing it right out of St Louis, Missouri." "With Trump Mobile, we're going to be introducing an entire package of products," Trump Junior said, including telemedicine, roadside assistance and unlimited texting. The White House has denied any suggestions that the president is using his name to profit. (AP) The announcement, timed to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the day Donald Trump took the golden escalator down to announce his 2016 presidential run, marks the latest expansion of the Trump family business into tech, cryptocurrencies and media. The vast and growing scale of the Trump family businesses — which include long-held real estate and casino holdings along with more recent forays into digital finance and branded items — has deepened concerns about the president's willingness to flout ethical conventions while in office. The White House has repeatedly denied any suggestion of impropriety. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously said it was "ridiculous" that anyone would suggest Trump is "doing anything for his own benefit" and that the White House holds itself to the "highest of ethical standards". The Trump Organisation is the main holding company for President Trump's private businesses, and it is run by his eldest sons, Eric and Donald Jnr. The mobile service will work with all three major wireless carriers, the Trump Organisation said. World
Donald Trump
USA
Technology CONTACT US
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
22 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Schools, buses headline early budget promises
NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET PLEDGES TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including $56 million to purchase 50 new 'bendy' buses * $150 million of above funds to be used for more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport precinct totalling $80 million EDUCATION: * $9 billion over four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused in growing suburban communities * Three new public primary schools in west and southwest Sydney with attached public preschools along with one new high school HEALTH: * $700 million towards construction of the new Bankstown Hospital and necessary relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, the $492 million investment includes an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens like Ebola and measles * $23 million to cover an extra 3500 surgeries in the next year LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity upgrades to NSW Police, $50 million of which will go to upgrade outdated hardware * Victims' Support Service funding boosted by $227 million over five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * Upgrade of Downing Centre to create 15 new physical and virtual courtrooms and $48.3 million to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for additional solicitors HOUSING * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date * New guidelines to speed up construction of roads, schools and parks around developments ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACES: * $110 million to maintain public spaces including the repair of Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct for $115.5 million which will house wind turbines and electrical transformers used in renewable energy projects * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks CULTURE: * The establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280 million to support the screen and digital games sector including rebates for NSW-based visual effects and digital games productions
Perth Now
22 minutes ago
- Perth Now
PM may play NATO trump card to score US president talks
Australia's chances of tariff exemptions remain uncertain as the prime minister returns from an overseas trip without having spoken to Donald Trump. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's much-anticipated plans to hold his first in-person meeting the US president were thrown into chaos because of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two were expected to speak on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada during the summit's final day to discuss trade, tariffs and defence. But less than 24 hours before their meeting, Mr Trump revealed he had to leave early to deal with the situation between Iran and Israel. The prime minister will fly into Sydney on Thursday without clear progress towards a trade resolution. But Mr Albanese could get a second chance at Mr Trump within days. The prime minister is considering going to The Hague at the end of June to attend a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, where the US president is expected to appear. "We'll meet soon and I'm sure that will occur," Mr Albanese told reporters in Calgary on Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST). "From time to time, meetings are rescheduled - that's what happens." The prime minister is also expected to advocate for Australia's nuclear submarine deal with the US and UK at his meeting with Mr Trump. Mr Albanese was not the only world leader lining up to speak with the leader of the free world at the G7. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talks scheduled with Mr Trump the day after he left. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum was also set to meet Mr Trump face-to-face for the first time that day. Ms Sheinbaum received a call from the US president soon after news broke of his departure, but the prime minister has not received a direct call from Mr Trump. Instead, he met with the president's senior economic team on the day he was supposed to speak with Mr Trump. His discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer involved trade, tariffs and critical minerals - which Australia has considered using as a bargaining chip in US negotiations. The prime minister said Mr Trump's departure was "understandable" and insisted things were progressing. Australia's exports to the US continue to be hit with a baseline 10 per cent tariff and its steel and aluminium products incur a 50 per cent levy.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Trump insists he stopped India-Pakistan war despite Modi denial
US president Donald Trump insisted on Wednesday that he had stopped the war between India and Pakistan, hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him the ceasefire after a four-day conflict in May was achieved through talks between the two countries' militaries, not US mediation. Trump made his remarks just before he was scheduled to host Pakistan's powerful armed forces chief Asim Munir in a rare meeting at the White House on Wednesday, something likely to upset India, a country the US president and his predecessor Joe Biden assiduously courted as part of efforts to push back against China.
