The Trump Organisation has announced a new service called Trump Mobile
The company is also planning to release its own smartphone in August, called the T1 Phone.
The phone is said to have a sleek gold design.
US President Donald Trump and his family have stepped into the telecom business. The Trump Organisation has announced a new service called Trump Mobile, launched in partnership with three major US mobile carriers. This new service will offer 5G connectivity and an unlimited plan for $47.45 per month.
SurveyCustomers will also have the option to keep their current phone and switch to Trump Mobile’s T1 Mobile service. The company is also planning to release its own smartphone in August, called the T1 Phone. According to the announcement, this phone will have a sleek gold design and is being marketed as a device that is “engineered for performance and proudly designed and built in the United States for customers who expect the best from their mobile carrier.”
How is this different from the Obama phone?
The Obama Phone actually comes from a government program called Lifeline Assistance, which began in 1985 under former President Ronald Reagan. The program was updated to include mobile phones in 2008 under George W. Bush. Its goal is to provide free or low-cost phone service to low-income Americans so they can stay connected for job searches, emergencies and basic communication.
The name ‘Obama phone’ stuck because the program became more widely known and used during Obama’s presidency. It provides a free basic smartphone with 250 to unlimited calls, text messaging and limited data (usually a few hundred MBs, depending on the provider like SafeLink Wireless), or a monthly subsidy of $9.25- or $34.25 if you’re on Tribal lands- for phone or broadband. For context, the Trump Organisation has announced a single plan called “The 47 Plan” for $47.45 per month.
Key differences: The Obama phone is a government-subsidised program designed to help low-income citizens stay connected. In contrast, Trump Mobile is a commercial telecom service targeting paying customers. While Obama’s initiative focuses on public assistance, Trump’s venture emphasises luxury and commercialisation.
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Many users on X (formerly Twitter) are comparing Trump’s new offering to the Obama Phone, often pointing out how both are perceived differently. While one X user wrote, “Obama had the Obama phones that didn’t have his name on them and you could get one for free with free minutes if you had proof of being low income. The Donald Trump Mobile phone is literally just buying an iPhone with his name on it,” another posted, “Obama had Obama Phones. Trump has Trump Phones.”
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Ayushi Jain
Ayushi works as Chief Copy Editor at Digit, covering everything from breaking tech news to in-depth smartphone reviews. Prior to Digit, she was part of the editorial team at IANS. View Full Profile
