New Trump Phone Appears Likely To Join Long Ling of Trump Family Scams and Ripoffs

Today, the Trump Organization announced a new mobile phone plan and a $499 smartphone that is set to launch in September.

Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, issued the following statement in response:

“Americans should slam down the phone in response to the latest marketing ploy from the Trump family business. Everything about this plan should tell Americans to disconnect right away.

“First, while the details of the Trump phone plan remain murky, the plan appears to be far more expensive than options available from existing competitors — suggesting it will join a long line of Trump consumer scams and ripoffs. And good luck getting a federal agency to hold the company accountable if service fails or things go off the rails.

“Second, the Trump announcement claims the physical phone will be made in the USA, but there is reason to doubt that claim. There is only one existing phone that is made in the United States — costing $2000 — so the phone is, at minimum, likely to rely heavily on imported parts, raising questions about how Trump’s chaotic tariffs will apply to any imported parts for the Trump phone.

“Third, if the phone actually takes off, how are competitors supposed to respond? Should they advertise, truthfully, that they have a cheaper, comparable product? Or will they be too frightened? Will other businesses choose to rely on the Trump phone plan as a way to curry favor with the president? Does this portend a Trump corruption of the economy to parallel the Trump corruption of politics?

“We’ll need many more details to fully assess what’s going on — including the worrisome claim of offering a pharmacy and telehealth benefit — but it’s already clear this is a plan that should be cancelled, immediately.”