Trump family launches mobile phone company: smartphone will cost $499

The Trump family is about to launch a mobile phone company by licensing its name to a new mobile phone service. Despite ethical fears that the US president might shape public policy for personal gain, this is the latest business venture announced by the Trump clan since Donald, its undisputed leader, has been in the White House. Eric Trump, one of the US president's sons, who will head the start-up, explained that the new company will build its own phones and maintain a call centre in the US. The announcement of the new mobile phone service, called T1 Mobile, follows several real estate deals for towers and resorts in the Middle East, including the development of a golf course in Qatar announced in April and a $1.5 billion partnership to build golf courses, hotels and real estate projects in Vietnam.

The oversight of such a company, with Trump's name attached, also raises ethical issues. Indeed, Trump Sr. has already used the federal government to reward his allies and punish his enemies. The Federal Communications Commission, the main regulatory body overseeing mobile phone companies, has already launched investigations into media that Trump dislikes and, in some cases, sued him personally. In this scanraio, Eric Trump stated that consumers deserve a phone that is in line with their values. "Hardworking Americans deserve affordable wireless service that reflects their values and offers reliable quality they can count on," he explained in a statement.

The new, gold-coloured phone will be available in August at a price of $499, will be called T1 Phone, and will not be designed or manufactured by Trump Mobile, but by another company. The mobile phone service, which will cost $47.45 per month, will partner with existing cellular carriers with access to a 5G network. Trump Mobile's service will offer free SMS and calls and unlimited data. It will also offer free calls.