The Trump Organisation recently announced Trump Mobile and a $499 gold colored T1 phone, part of a broader licensing effort tied to President Donald Trump’s political brand.
But instead of excitement, viral clips show anger, disbelief, and plenty of sarcasm. Many commenters say they are struggling with rising costs and do not want another monthly bill.
One man summed up the frustration in a rant that has been widely reposted:
“What the f*** am I going to do with a Trump phone? I don’t need another phone bill. We didn’t get a stimulus. We didn’t get a dose check. We didn’t get no debt relief. No help for rent. No help for your mortgage. No help for groceries. They won’t raise our wages. They won’t lower prices. We’re fing drowning in debt, but guess what we get? We get a Donald Trump phone! A f phone, gold plated, with Trump’s picture on the back of it! I voted for him! Do I want a f***ing Trump phone? No! I want some goddamn relief!”
The clip resonates because it blends partisan frustration with a broader financial reality. For many families juggling rent, groceries, and credit card debt, a new phone plan feels like a luxury rather than a solution.
Another viral video focused on the product’s rollout. A tattooed creator said they tried calling the number listed on the Trump Mobile website to switch service.
“So I was on the website for the new Trump phone, right? And it says customers can make the switch to Trump Mobile with just a short phone call to 888-TRUMP-45. Okay? And that’s a link on the website, right? When you call it, click it directly from the website. This is what happens.”
In the clip, the caller reaches an automated message instead:
“Welcome to Verizon Wireless. Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please hang up and redial the number, including the area code. Announcement 5…”
The creator responds, “That is so fing brand! Oh my god, you cannot make this s up!”
Trump Mobile marketing materials promote switching by calling 888 TRUMP45. Automated “call cannot be completed as dialed” messages are common routing issues that can occur for various technical reasons, including formatting or area code requirements.
Beyond the phone itself, critics are tying the backlash to what some describe as growing “buyer’s remorse” among certain Trump voters. One podcast host shared a message from a 20-year-old Midwestern college student who voted for Trump and now feels unsettled by recent developments.
“I’ve really appreciated hearing what you have had to say the past week on The Five and your podcast with Scott… You’ve really opened my mind on certain things that are currently going on as someone who voted for Trump and you have been communicating a lot of frustration I’ve been feeling alongside some family and friends who didn’t expect all the chaos.”
The student also noted the impact of tariffs on his family’s small business, writing that their products are made in China.
Taken together, the online reactions suggest that for some voters, the Trump phone has become less about technology and more about priorities. At a time when many Americans say they are focused on affordability, critics argue that branding alone does not address everyday financial strain.