Trump Mobile - More grifting or just good business?

[FlyersFan]

The Trump organization.
$500 smart phone - all gold and with 'Trump on it.
(there are pictures out there but I don't know how to post them)
Made in the USA.
Also ... cell phone service carrier ... no word on how much for that.

So .. more grifting from Trump .. cashing in on his name and position?
Technically he's not in on it, it's the 'Trump Organization' doing this and he's out (supposedly).
But more grifting?

OR .. is this just good business?   His organization sees an opportunity to make money so 
they go for it and that's how billionaires are born?   Sneakers.  Cell phones.  Golf gear.
Steaks.  "University" .... etc etc.   

P.S.  anyone remember Billy Beer?  Grifting from Jimmy Carters brother while he was in office.  

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-organiz...52379.html
 NEW YORK (Reuters) -Donald Trump's family business licensed its name to launch a U.S. mobile service and a $499 smartphone on Monday, calling it Trump Mobile, in the latest deal brokered by the president's children to capitalize on his last name while he is in office.
 
The new mobile venture, announced at Trump Tower in Manhattan, will operate using the networks of the three major U.S. wireless carriers. Some key details about the venture, including those about the family's partner in the business and financial terms of their licensing deal, were not immediately disclosed.

[KrustyKrab]

I don’t have a problem with it, after all he is and will always be a businessman.   I’m sure the left will have a tizzy and spin it as the spawn of satan but that’s par for course.

[andy06shake]

So we have had watches, sneakers, books, and cryptocurrency.

Now we are on to smartphones???

Just another grift whilst in office.

With my understanding being that your POTUS is not supposed to use the office to make personal money beyond their official salary and allowances.

This sort of thing raises serious ethical concerns.

And may well violate norms that guard against conflicts of interest for a start.

[FlyersFan]

With my understanding being that your POTUS is not supposed to use the office to make personal money beyond their official salary and allowances.

It's the Trump organization, and Trump had to remove himself from it to be POTUS.  SO technically he isn't making the money.  But of course, we all know he is ...

[andy06shake]

It's the Trump organization, and Trump had to remove himself from it to be POTUS.  SO technically he isn't making the money.  But of course, we all know he is ...

Well while Trump formally stepped away from managing the Trump Organisation during his presidency, he never divested ownership.

His assets were placed in a "revocable trust" managed by his sons, meaning he still benefited financially.

And "The Office of Government Ethics" recommended full divestment to avoid conflicts of interest, to which Trump declined.

Also, there are documents that show he's earned hundreds of millions from his businesses while in office.

So while he wasn't "technically" running the company, the financial benefits flowed to him.

And saying he wasn't making money is misleading as he structured it to maintain control and profit while claiming distance for political and legal purposes.

Which is morally ambiguous, to say the least.

Edit: and by the looks of it, well, that all American golden phone, looks to be made in......................wait for it..............................China. 

Clownshoes.

[Oldcarpy2]

More grifting:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/artic...menubutton

Trump selling fragrance for 249 Dollars.

"Trump, 79, announced the fragrances on his Truth Social platform and said, 'The Victory 45-47 scents ― one for men, one for women ― sell for $249 per 100ml bottle, with a $50 discount per bottle for those who purchase two or more.'  The product description calls the limited-edition, numbered rose gold statue perfume 'a stunning new women's fragrance inspired by President Trump's historic win' that's 'perfect for the Trump fan and collector.' 'With every spray, Victory 47 captures confidence, beauty, and unstoppable determination,' the description promises, calling it 'a sophisticated, subtly feminine scent that's your go-to signature for any occasion,' without providing any scent notes. "

Can he sink any lower?

Is he actually allowed as President to grift like this?

Incidentally, I see he is now always wearing his red hat.

Could it be to hide the fact he's going bald?

This stinks.

[UltraBudgie]

personally think this is somewhat classier than the sneakers, but that's a very low bar

the ballcap thing is somewhat annoying. again, personal prejudice, but i think presidents shouldn't wear ballcaps unless they're posturing at disaster sites. it's just vulgar. and i never used to think ballcaps were particularly vulgar, so thanks for that donald.

anyway the griftiness is very american, i still think his crassness is actually quite representative of the crassness of the country as a whole, so good choice there america haha

[Oldcarpy2]

personally think this is somewhat classier than the sneakers, but that's a very low bar

the ballcap thing is somewhat annoying. again, personal prejudice, but i think presidents shouldn't wear ballcaps unless they're posturing at disaster sites. it's just vulgar. and i never used to think ballcaps were particularly vulgar, so thanks for that donald.

anyway the griftiness is very american, i still think his crassness is actually quite representative of the crassness of the country as a whole, so good choice there america haha

Yes, you are right.  You'd have to be pretty crass to fork out all those dollars for his fragrance.  Not to mention, stupid?

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/07...-for-words

"According to Forbes, Trump could have made up to $315m from ‘$TRUMP’ cryptocurrency since its launch in January, and according to Trump's most recent financial disclosure report, he made $57,355,532 from his stake in the cryptocurrency platform World Liberty Financial, $2.8m from 'Trump Watches', and $3m from his Save America coffee table book. Unsurprisingly, Trump's latest perfume launched was ripped to shreds online.   “It’s too embarrassing for words,” someone commented, while campaign group Republicans Against Trump posted on X: "From crypto scams to shady real estate deals, Trump phones, and cologne. He’s never stopped using the presidency to enrich himself and his family. Go ahead, MAGA. Try defending this blatant corruption."  “What a proud day to be a Republican!” another sarcastically wrote, while another argued: “I’m sorry—but it is very difficult to maintain a high opinion of anyone who thinks this is fitting conduct for the President of the United States. He embarrasses the country and makes his supporters look like fools every single day.” 

Exactly.

[Oldcarpy2]

I don’t have a problem with it, after all he is and will always be a businessman.   I’m sure the left will have a tizzy and spin it as the spawn of satan but that’s par for course.

Errrm.. he's supposed to be doing Presidential stuff.

You fine with all the grifting and using his office to grift?

[UltraBudgie]

there's an argument that crap like that and the redcaps and such build coherence to the maga movement

large part of a president's job is to act as figurehead of a particular political bloc

call it grift or call it 'community organizing', in the consumerist mode

meh whatever

trump is piece of poop for many other reasons haha