**Trump Organization's New Business Venture Enters Mobile Phone Market**

**A gold-colored smartphone priced at $499 is set to hit the market, but critics question the feasibility and ethics of this new venture.**

The Trump Organization has announced its foray into the mobile phone market, introducing a new Trump-branded smartphone and accompanying phone service. The organization, which is led by Donald Trump's sons, is set to offer a gold-colored phone priced at $499, alongside a mobile service subscription costing $47.45 per month—a clever nod to Trump's dual presidency numbers as the 45th and 47th president.

While the organization seeks to capitalize on Trump's name, critics including ethics watchdogs are raising alarms about potential corruption and conflicts of interest inherent in this new business. Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), stated, "It’s unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office." The organization claims Trump is not involved in business dealings, asserting that his interests have been placed in a trust managed by his children.

Experts on the supply chain have cast doubt on the Trump Organization's assertions regarding the smartphone being "built in the United States." According to Professor Tinglong Dai from Johns Hopkins University, creating a smartphone using entirely American components is "virtually impossible." Dai pointed out the necessity for economies of scale and sustainable demand alongside the challenge of lacking a robust US supply chain for high-tech components. He stated, “They don’t even have a working prototype. It’s extremely unlikely.”

Trump's push for an American-made smartphone coincides with his ongoing pressure on tech giants like Apple to bring their manufacturing processes to the US. Just last month, he threatened to impose a significant import tax on iPhones manufactured abroad. Analysis by CCS Insight’s Leo Gebbie suggested that while complete assembly in the US would be difficult, it might be possible to claim American manufacturing by assembling devices with imported components.

Despite the lack of detailed information regarding the mobile service's operations or business partnerships, the Trump Organization emphasized the affordability and reliability of the proposed service. They also aim to provide competitive international calling rates, particularly for families of military members stationed overseas.

This initiative represents an extension of a long-standing strategy for the Trump family, which has historically profited from licensing the Trump brand. However, following Trump's entry into politics, opportunities for financial gain from his brand have continued to grow, with his latest disclosures indicating income exceeding $600 million last year from various ventures including Trump-branded consumer products.

As the US mobile market is dominated by established companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, all offering services typically priced below $40, Trump's entry into the sector may target niche markets. Nevertheless, the landscape remains competitive, with smaller companies leveraging unique offerings to lure customers. The upcoming launch will need to navigate these economic currents while addressing the ethical concerns that accompany Trump's multifaceted business aspirations.