Fact Check: "President Donald Trump's family business is licensing his name to a new mobile phone service that will offer gold smartphones for $47 a month, launching later in 2023."
What We Know
President Donald Trump's family business, the Trump Organization, has announced the launch of a mobile phone service called Trump Mobile. This service will offer a gold-colored smartphone priced at $499 and a monthly service plan starting at $47.45, which is a nod to Trump's dual presidency as the 45th and 47th president of the United States (Washington Post, Reuters). The announcement was made by Trump's sons at Trump Tower in New York, coinciding with the anniversary of Trump's presidential campaign announcement (BBC).
The service is intended to provide an alternative to major telecom providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and will include features such as "24/7 roadside assistance" and "telehealth services" (NBC News). However, many technical details about the service and its partners remain undisclosed (AOL).
Analysis
The claim that Trump's family business is launching a mobile phone service with gold smartphones for $47 a month is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Trump Organization's announcement has been reported by major news outlets including the Washington Post, Reuters, and NBC News, all of which confirm the details of the service and its pricing structure.
However, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of the project. Telecom analysts have expressed skepticism about the practicality of producing a smartphone entirely in the U.S. and the ability of the Trump Organization to compete in a saturated market dominated by established players (BBC). Critics have also raised ethical concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Trump's dual role as a businessman and a political figure (Reuters).
Despite these concerns, the core claim about the launch of the mobile service and its pricing is accurate. The Trump Organization is indeed moving forward with this venture, as confirmed by the official announcements and promotional materials.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that President Donald Trump's family business is licensing his name to a new mobile phone service that will offer gold smartphones for $47 a month is accurate. Multiple reputable sources have confirmed the details of the service, including its pricing and features. While there are valid concerns regarding the business's feasibility and potential ethical implications, the fundamental assertion about the launch is substantiated.
Sources
- Trump Organization unveils mobile phone service
- Trump family in phone service licensing deal, touts a $499 smartphone
- Trump Organization enters mobile phone business
- Trump-branded wireless service launches — with a gold phone
- Trump Mobile: The Trump Org is licensing its name to a wireless service
- Trump Organization enters mobile phone business
- The Trump family's next venture, a mobile phone company
- Trump Org Announces 'Trump Mobile' Cell Phone Service
