Breakingviews - Trump Mobile sends big business a chilling message
NEW YORK, June 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - A scary call is coming for CEOs from inside the White House. President Donald Trump's family holding company unveiled a new cellular service and touted a 'Made in USA' smartphone. It will piggyback on AT&T (T.N), opens new tab, Verizon Communications (VZ.N), opens new tab and T-Mobile US (TMUS.O), opens new tab networks for a piece of the $200 billion mobile market. Brazen conflicts of interest abound in a scary new normal for Corporate America.
The Trump Organization, which houses a business empire run by the president's sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, rolled out its Trump Mobile offering on Monday. The service, opens new tab features unlimited talk, text and data, telehealth benefits and free international calling to more than 100 countries pitched specifically at military bases. The cost is $47.45 per month, evoking Trump's role as both the 47th and 45th U.S. president. A gold mobile phone due for release in August costs $499, and consumers can plunk down a $100 deposit now.
White House officials say there are no personal and professional clashes to worry about because it is Trump's offspring who are in charge. Yet the president reported more than $600 million of income last year from cryptocurrencies and other licensing deals using his name on watches, bibles, sneakers and fragrances, according to Reuters. Royalties from other sources such as rice cookers and dinner plates emblazoned with Trump's face on them are also in the works through deals with Insta Pot and Lenox, Semafor reported.
Realistically speaking, Trump Mobile invites a slew of unseemly controversy. For one thing, telecommunications is a highly regulated industry. The Federal Communications Commission oversees wireless spectrum used to build out 5G networks, and Trump's relationship with Chairman Brendan Carr is a cozy one. After Carr told satellite mogul Charlie Ergen that his indebted company EchoStar would have to start selling some of its unused spectrum licenses, the president brokered a follow-up meeting last week, according to Bloomberg. EchoStar shares jumped 45% on the news.
The Trump phone service also threatens to put AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, with a combined $650 billion of market value, in awkward positions. They will be in business with the president's children while providing services to the U.S. government. Trump already has seen fit to exert influence over law firms, universities and companies because of diversity initiatives. A branded mobile service goes beyond even those pressure tactics and profiting on wine and snow globes. It sends a very chilling message to big business.
Follow Jennifer Saba on Bluesky, opens new tab and LinkedIn, opens new tab.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geeky Gadgets
11 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Unlock the Secret to Lifelike AI Voices with Eleven v3
What if your AI-generated voice could do more than just sound human? Imagine it expressing joy, urgency, or even quiet reflection with the same nuance as a skilled actor. With ElevenLabs' Eleven v3, this isn't just possible—it's the new standard. This innovative platform redefines what AI voice synthesis can achieve, offering emotional depth and tonal precision that were once exclusive to professional voice artists. Whether you're crafting an audiobook, designing a virtual assistant, or creating immersive storytelling experiences, Eleven v3 gives you the tools to make your content truly resonate. But here's the catch: unlocking its full potential requires more than just pressing 'generate.' It demands a thoughtful approach to prompt engineering—a skill that, once mastered, can transform your creative projects. ElevenLabs explain how to harness the expressive power of Eleven v3 through strategic prompt design, tone modulation, and iterative refinement. You'll discover how to guide the AI to deliver lifelike performances, from cheerful and animated to calm and introspective. We'll also delve into the platform's standout features, like dynamic emotional shifts and customizable voice styles, which open up endless possibilities for creative and professional applications. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or just starting to experiment with AI voice tools, this guide will equip you with actionable insights to elevate your projects. After all, the difference between a good voice and a great one often lies in the details. Mastering Eleven v3 Features What Sets Eleven v3 Apart? Eleven v3 stands out for its ability to produce high-quality, expressive AI voices that go beyond traditional text-to-speech systems. Unlike earlier iterations, this version emphasizes naturalness and emotional nuance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including audiobooks, virtual assistants, and interactive storytelling. Key features include: Advanced expressive voice synthesis: Enables nuanced and lifelike vocal delivery. Enables nuanced and lifelike vocal delivery. Control over vocal tone, emotion, and style: Tailor outputs to specific contexts and audiences. Tailor outputs to specific contexts and audiences. Dynamic emotional shifts: Seamlessly transition between emotions within a single output. These features allow you to create voices that resonate with listeners, whether your goal is to inform, entertain, or persuade. The platform's versatility ensures it can adapt to diverse creative and professional needs. Mastering Prompt Engineering for Precision Prompt engineering is the cornerstone of effective AI voice generation. It involves crafting detailed instructions to guide the AI in producing the desired output. With Eleven v3, you can specify parameters such as tone, emotion, and style to achieve highly tailored results. For example: A simple prompt like 'read this with excitement' provides general guidance. A more detailed instruction, such as 'deliver this with a cheerful, upbeat tone suitable for a children's story,' yields a more specific and refined result. Experimentation is essential to mastering this process. Testing different phrasing and levels of detail helps you understand how the AI interprets your instructions. Over time, you can refine your prompts to achieve consistently accurate and engaging outputs. Eleven v3 Expressive AI Voice Prompt Engineering Guide Watch this video on YouTube. Uncover more insights about AI voice generation in previous articles we have written. Fine-Tuning Vocal Tone and Emotional Delivery One of Eleven v3's most powerful features is its ability to modulate vocal tone and emotion, allowing you to align the voice with the context of your content. This capability is particularly useful for applications requiring emotional depth or tonal precision. Consider these examples: Neutral and professional tone: Ideal for customer service chatbots or corporate training materials. Ideal for customer service chatbots or corporate training materials. Warm and empathetic delivery: Perfect for storytelling or therapeutic content. To guide the AI effectively, include emotional cues in your prompts. For instance: 'Speak with a sense of urgency' for time-sensitive messages. 'Use a calm and reflective tone' for meditative or introspective content. Additionally, Eleven v3 supports dynamic emotional shifts within a single output. This feature enables more complex and engaging voice performances, such as narrations that transition from excitement to solemnity, enhancing the listener's experience. Customizing Voice Styles for Specific Applications Voice style customization is another standout feature of Eleven v3, allowing you to create unique voice profiles tailored to specific use cases. This capability is invaluable for developers, content creators, and businesses seeking to establish a distinct auditory identity. Examples of customized voice styles include: Professional and authoritative: Suitable for corporate presentations or e-learning modules. Suitable for corporate presentations or e-learning modules. Playful and animated: Ideal for video game characters or children's content. To create a custom voice style: Define the key characteristics you want, such as pitch, tempo, or tone. Use the platform's customization tools to adjust these parameters. Test and refine multiple versions until the voice aligns with your objectives. This iterative process ensures that the final output meets your specific needs, whether you're designing a virtual assistant or crafting a unique character voice. Iterative Refinement: Achieving Perfection Perfecting your voice outputs often requires multiple iterations. Eleven v3 allows you to refine your prompts and settings based on the AI's initial outputs, allowing continuous improvement. For example: If the voice sounds overly formal, adjust the prompt to include terms like 'relaxed' or 'conversational.' If the emotional delivery feels misaligned, tweak the instructions to emphasize the desired sentiment. This iterative approach not only enhances the quality of your outputs but also deepens your understanding of how the AI interprets prompts. Over time, you'll develop the skills to craft highly effective instructions, reducing the need for extensive revisions and streamlining your workflow. Tools and Features for Enhanced Customization Eleven v3 provides a robust suite of tools to simplify and enhance the voice customization process. These features are designed to save time, improve accuracy, and expand creative possibilities. Key tools include: Pre-built voice templates: Quickly generate voices with predefined settings, ideal for common use cases. Quickly generate voices with predefined settings, ideal for common use cases. Real-time preview: Listen to how your prompts sound before finalizing them, making sure precision and efficiency. Listen to how your prompts sound before finalizing them, making sure precision and efficiency. Advanced editing options: Make fine adjustments to the voice after generation for greater control over the final output. Make fine adjustments to the voice after generation for greater control over the final output. Integration capabilities: Seamlessly connect Eleven v3 with external applications, allowing broader use cases such as automated workflows or interactive experiences. These tools make Eleven v3 a versatile and practical choice for a wide range of users, from individual creators to large-scale enterprises. Unlocking the Full Potential of Eleven v3 Mastering Eleven v3 requires a combination of strategic prompt engineering, vocal tone control, and iterative refinement. By using its advanced tools and features, you can create natural, emotionally resonant voice outputs tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're developing a virtual assistant, producing an audiobook, or designing a character for a video game, Eleven v3 enables you to bring your vision to life with precision and creativity. Media Credit: ElevenLabs Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Trump dramatically leaves G7 early as he urges Tehran to ‘evacuate immediately' sparking fears of major Iran escalation
DONALD Trump left the G7 summit in Canada a day early after warning "foolish" Iran to evacuate "everyone" from Tehran immediately, sowing fear of a major imminent escalation. Israel and Iran continued to trade missiles for a fourth night, with Tehran's civilians fleeing the city in their thousands, but no casualties were reported by Tel Aviv. 7 7 7 7 Trump told reporters: "I have to be back as soon as I can," with the White House pinning his return on "what's going on in the Middle East". The President ordered his National Security Council to convene and await his return, though officials maintain that the US will not be joining Israel's bombing campaign on Iran. He had originally been scheduled to stay in Canada until late on Tuesday, but by midday Monday had begun signalling he would take flight early. As Monday night fell, Iran vowed to unleash continuous ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel "until the morning", though the damage appears limited. The IRGC's General Naeini said, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency: "The ninth wave of the combined drone and missile attack began and will continue continuously until the morning." Monday saw a major escalation in the brewing conflict with Israel directly targeting an Iranian state TV studio which was on air at the time. Israel accused Iran of using the building 'under the guise of civilian activity' as they claimed it was a military communication centre. Just moments after the blast, Iranian state media announced that Israel should prepare themselves for the "largest and most intense" missile attack in Israel's history. Only a handful of ballistic missiles were registered by Israel in the end with minimal damage reported. But damning satellite pictures have shown just how effective Israel's attacks have been since the conflict started on Friday. 7 7 Iran's nuclear infrastructure has been decimated by IDF jets who have hammered Iranian depots, HQs, and plants - turning the prized buildings into charred, burnt-out wrecks. Experts still believe Israel hasn't yet delivered a fatal blow to Iran's program with the international atomic body saying some sites are yet to be damaged. Israel now claims to have air superiority over the enemy which would allow it to methodically target any sites without the threat of having its jets shot down. A US aircraft carrier also is barrelling towards the Middle East after President Trump warned the "full strength and might" of the military would be used if America was attacked. The move piled more pressure on Iran's Ayatollah and comes as Iranians have been heard shouting "Death to Khamenei" - their supreme leader. Some Tehran locals could be heard yelling for freedom as bombs fell around them, footage posted to social media showed. Israel possibly may have widened its war goals to include overthrowing Khamenei, according to the Washington Post. Benjamin Netanyahu has also said that Iran is now "very weak" as he warned of an impending "regime change" in Tehran. Tension across the Middle East is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war after Pakistan called for the Islamic world to back Iran. Islamabad even warned they will nuke Israel, a senior Iranian general claimed. Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below... By WATCH: IDF destroys two of Iran's last remaining Tomcat jets The IDF has released dramatic footage of it blowing up two of Iran's last-remaining F-14 Tomcats. These are iconic US-made fighter jets worth tens of billions of dollars. The destruction of these two deals another hefty blow to Iran's fast-dwindling defence capabilities. RECAP of Our Recent Operations Over Tehran: 🛫 Strike on two F-14 fighter jets that were located at an airport in Tehran. These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft. ❌ Thwarted a UAV launch attempt toward Israel. 🎯 Eliminated a launch cell minutes before launch… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 16, 2025
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump finally signed a UK-US trade deal - but Starmer still faces steel tariffs race
President Trump brandished his trade deal with the UK at the G7 meeting in Canada, announcing he had finally signed it after weeks of wrangling - then promptly dropped it on the ground. Keir Starmer was quick to respond to the US president's clumsiness, bending down to pick up the precious agreement, set to protect auto industry jobs in Britain. The whole thing could be seen as a metaphor for how the Republican sees these kinds of deals - and continues to treat them. Because there is a sting in the tail to what the two men signed in Alberta. Whopping tariffs of 25 per cent remain on British steel - one of the industries that can least afford them. And the prime minister now faces a race against time to try to get rid of them, before they cripple an already beleaguered industry. The US president sent shockwaves through the global economy when he announced his steel tariffs – and then, a few weeks ago, plans to double them. The UK-US trade deal unveiled with much fanfare in April should have exempted Britain from steel tariffs altogether – but there was one problem, it had yet to be implemented. And it still has not. Trump's signature means the deal can now go through parliaments on either side of the Atlantic, but that process will still take days. It was not supposed to be like this. When it was first unveiled Trump hailed the trade agreement with the UK as a 'great deal for both countries', while the prime minister said the move would 'boost British businesses and save thousands of British jobs' and deliver on his promises to protect carmakers and, crucially, save the UK's steel industry. Under its terms, levies on steel and aluminium were to be reduced to zero. However, a general 10 per cent tariff for other goods would remain and Britain agreed to scrap its tariff on ethanol coming into the UK from the US. At the time the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said the UK had been 'shafted' as she contrasted the amount UK business would have to pay with their costs before Trump came to power. Earlier this year, MPs were forced to hold a Saturday sitting to approve emergency plans to save British Steel 's Scunthorpe blast furnaces by taking control away from its Chinese owners. Although the new law stopped short of nationalisation, the government conceded it was "likely" British Steel would have to be taken into public ownership as Sir Keir warned the UK's economic and national security was "on the line". At the time, he said his government was 'turning the page on a decade of decline, where our manufacturing heartlands were hollowed out by the previous government. Our industry is the pride of our history – and I want it to be our future too." The British steel industry described it as a 'body blow' to wake up a few weeks ago and discover that Trump had announced overnight plans to universally double steel tariffs, from 25 to 50 per cent. That appears to have fallen again, to 25 per cent, still an astronomical sum. The calculation at the G7 has been to use a meeting with the president to get most of the way there on the trade deal. To give industries like the car sector the certainty they, and their workers, badly need. And sort out the rest later. But the beleaguered British steel industry will be hoping they get the same kind of certainty very soon indeed.
