When the Trump Organization announced its upcoming gold-hued T1 phone, it threw up a number of red flags for us. There was the poorly Photoshopped image along with technical claims that didn’t add up -- including the boast that the phone would be “designed and built in the United States.” (That claim has since been walked back, without explanation.) The phone was originally expected to launch in September 2025, but there’s currently no confirmed release date.
To run the T1 phone, the organization also announced the Trump Mobile 47 Plan, a prepaid phone plan with unlimited text, calls and data, which appears to be active now. After looking at the specifics, we’ve concluded there are better options elsewhere. Let’s break it down.
Clever pricing, but better deals abound
The Trump T1 phone gives us flashbacks to the Freedom Phone, which launched in 2021 and was more of a political statement than a groundbreaking smartphone. But it's the Trump Mobile phone service that seems like an odd fit in 2025. At a time when there are hundreds of mobile virtual network operators -- think Mint Mobile or Google Fi -- Trump Mobile is trying to break into a crowded market with a curious value proposition: pay $47.45 a month (a nod to Trump being the 45th and 47th president) for unlimited text, calls and data.
However, that's just the base price. In a video titled I Signed Up for Trump Mobile So You Don't Have To, internet personality Stetson Doggett discovered an additional hefty "plan telecom tax" of $14.52, bringing the monthly price up to $61.97 (and recurring autopay is automatically enabled).
You can find what's included in the Trump Mobile 47 Plan for much cheaper with other wireless providers.
In fact, Liberty Wireless Mobile -- the MVNO that powers Trump Mobile -- offers the same service for just $40 a month. That includes 10GB of high-speed data, compared to 20GB with the 47 Plan, before speeds are likely throttled. But I haven't used Liberty Wireless, and if the numerous instances of "Lorem ipsum" text on its FAQS page are any indication, it's likely best to look elsewhere.
Of course, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan includes other perks that could help justify the higher price -- such as telehealth sessions provided by Doctegrity (normally $29 a month) and roadside assistance through Drive America. That said, it's unclear what services are covered or whether spending limits apply. The 47 Plan even includes "device protection" -- which would be great, if not for the fine print clarifying that "device protection is not insurance."
So could Trump Mobile be a good deal? If we ignore all the vagueness surrounding the 47 Plan, then maybe. But there are too many unknowns for us to recommend it. How much is an additional line? Does the 47 Plan include hotspot data? Is there an autopay discount? Do we get streaming service perks like with other carriers? Are there discounts for seniors? We reached out to Trump Mobile for clarification.
Luckily, between the three major US carriers and hundreds of US-based MVNOs, you have plenty of options. Here are a few wireless plans that are available now and offer a better price -- or value -- than Trump Mobile, from providers with strong track records for service. Be sure to also check out our list of best phone plans that cover other features and pricing.
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