'TRUMP' and 'T1': Is US President about to launch his own phone and wireless network?

Fresh trademark filings suggest US President Donald Trump is exploring a bold new business venture: launching his own mobile phone line and wireless telecom network. If successful, it would mark his most ambitious brand leap yet, one that fuses technology, commerce, and political identity into a single, MAGA-branded device.

Documents filed on June 12 with the US Patent and Trademark Office by DTTM Operations LLC – the entity that manages Trump’s trademarks – reveal applications for two names: ‘TRUMP’ and ‘T1’. These aren’t vague placeholder filings either. They specifically outline a wide array of products and services: mobile phones, wireless networks, battery chargers, phone accessories, and notably, physical retail stores.

While the filings don’t confirm that a product launch is imminent, they do offer strong clues. Importantly, both applications were made under what’s known as an “intent-to-use” basis. This legal standard means that Trump’s company isn’t just locking down names for speculative purposes — it has formally declared a bona fide intent to use them commercially. A lawyer for the Trump Organization even signed a sworn statement backing up that intent.

The name “T1” is particularly intriguing. Short, catchy, and tech-sounding, it could be used for a device model or even a wireless service plan. But the name may not be entirely risk-free. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who first flagged the filings and analysed them in a blog post, warned that T-Mobile could challenge the application. “If T-Mobile believes that consumers could confuse 'T1' with their brand, especially given how close the names are, they could file a trademark opposition or infringement claim,” Gerben said.