Experts have cast doubt on the Trump Organization’s claim that its proposed smartphone can be entirely manufactured in the US.
“It’s unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office,” said Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
The phone will also come alongside a mobile phone service with a monthly fee of $47.45.
The Trump family has not said which company would manufacture its phone in the United States.
“Where do I have to wait in line to buy the new Trump phone?”
The Trump Organization’s assertion that the US can produce its proposed smartphone in its entirety has been questioned by experts.
The gold-colored phone, which will retail for $499 (£367.50), would be “virtually impossible” to manufacture in the US, according to an industry analyst who spoke to the BBC.
Additionally, the ethics of the most recent attempt to profit from President Donald Trump’s name have been questioned.
In Washington, Meghan Faulkner, director of communications for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, said, “It’s unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office.”.
Additionally, a mobile phone service will be included with the phone for a monthly cost of $47–45.
Trump’s tenure as the nation’s 45th and 47th president is referenced in the figure.
According to Trump, his children are in charge of the trust he established to manage his business interests. He acts in the best interests of all Americans, according to the White House.
The most recent endeavor, according to Ms. Faulkner, brought up well-known questions, such as whether the new company will attract clients from those looking to influence Trump and how the president will formulate laws and regulations for a sector in which his family now owns stock.
The Trump family has not disclosed the American manufacturer of their phone.
During his Monday appearance on “The Benny Show” podcast, Eric Trump stated that “all the phones can be built in the United States of America Eventually.” This implies that the phones that will be released in August might not be made entirely in the United States.
Technology experts have questioned the meaning of the Trump Organization’s “built in the United States” claim regarding its devices, arguing that it is likely not currently feasible to manufacture smartphones in the US from scratch.
“Not even a functional prototype is in existence. Professor Tinglong Dai, an operations management instructor at Johns Hopkins’ Carey Business School, stated that it is highly improbable.
“A miracle would be required for you. Economies of scale would be necessary. For this type of product, there would need to be steady demand, Prof. Dai continued.
The move comes as Trump attempts to persuade Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, to produce iPhones for US consumers in the US.
A 25% import tax “at least” on iPhones made outside of the United States was the president’s threat last month.
The US “simply does not have the high-tech supply chain” needed for smartphone assembly at the moment, especially not in time for its August release, as the Trump Organization has claimed, according to analyst Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight.
The gadget might, however, be able to be put together in the US using foreign-sourced components. According to Mr. Gebbie, this could be the most likely scenario that permits the T1 to assert American sovereignty.
The name of the business partner who will operate the service and is licensing the name was one of the few details in the announcement.
When the BBC questioned the Trump Organization about its business partner, criticized it for possible ethical problems, and asked for more information about its “built in the United States” claim, the organization did not immediately reply.
It stated in its announcement that “hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that’s affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on.”.
Families whose members are serving in the military outside of the United States were offered a policy of “discounted” international calls.
Both the gold-colored phone, which is now up for pre-order, and customer service representatives based in the US would be available to answer inquiries, according to the announcement.
The agreement is a continuation of a business strategy that Trump adopted long before he became president: negotiating agreements to sell his name to golf course operators and hoteliers in return for fees and royalties.
Since he entered politics ten years ago, however, the opportunities to make money from his brand have increased.
Trump said he made over $600 million last year, including millions from products like bibles, watches, sneakers, and fragrances bearing his name, in his most recent financial disclosure.
His net worth was more than double that of the previous year, with Forbes estimating it at $5.01 billion in March.
According to the report, about half of Trump’s wealth last year came from his “diehard following,” which is credited with supporting the value of his social media business, which operates the Truth Social platform.
On the internet, opinions on the idea of a Trump-related smartphone have been divided; some people are eager to purchase it, while others are making fun of it.
One X user asked, “Where do I have to wait in line to buy the new Trump phone?”.
Others have criticized the design and made fun of the man who inspired it by asking if the new phone will only use capital letters for texts.
