If Trump watches or sneakers or bibles aren’t your thing, the family business just added another product to show your support for the U.S. president: mobile phones.

The Trump company announced Monday a new business, Trump Mobile, that will offer cell service in a licensing deal and sell gold phones by the summer. It’s the latest in a string of new ventures struck despite mounting ethical concerns that the U.S. president is profiting off his position and could distort public policy for personal gain.

Eric Trump, the president’s son running The Trump Organization in his absence, suggested the pitch is patriotism, emphasizing that the phones will be built in the U.S. and the phone service will maintain a call center in the country as well.

The announcement follows several real estate deals for towers and resorts in the Middle East, including a golf development in Qatar announced in April. A $1.5 billion partnership to build golf courses, hotels and real estate projects in Vietnam was approved last month, though the deal was in the works before Trump was elected.

Trump has already used the main regulatory agency that will oversee Trump Mobile in personal disputes.

The Federal Communications Commission has launched investigations of media outlets Trump dislikes and, in some cases, is personally suing. And the president himself last month criticised cell phone maker Apple, now a big business rival, because it planned to make most of its U.S. iPhones in India, threatening to slap a 25% tariff on the devices.

Eric Trump said that consumers deserve a phone that aligns with their values.

“Hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that’s affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on,” he said in a statement.

The Trump phone deal comes as a mandatory financial disclosure report just filed with the government shows the president has moved fast in the last year to profit off his celebrity, taking in $3 million in revenue from selling “Save America” coffee table books, $2.8 million from Trump watches and $2.5 million from Trump branded sneakers and fragrances.

The Trump Organization on Monday said the new, gold-colored phone available for $499 in August, called the T1 Phone, won’t be designed or made by Trump Mobile, but by another company.

The Trump Organization did not respond to repeated requests for more details on that and comment.

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said the monthly fee of just under $50 is pricey, the appeal beyond the most ardent MAGA loyalists doubtful and the business difficult given that cell phones break down.

“It’s not like selling hats and t-shirts. I’m not sure they have that all sorted of,” said Jeronimo, adding “I’m not sure they are bringing great value to the American people.”

Donald Trump ventured into the telecommunication industry once before, giving speeches and promoting a multi-level marketing company called ACN that was eventually sued for fraud and misleading customers.

In the first term, Trump was blasted by conservative and liberal government ethics experts alike for opening his Washington hotel to lobbyists and diplomats and violating his company’s pledge to avoid even the appearance of a conflict between his private profit and the public interest.

The company is feeling more emboldened now in the second term.

The mobile service is partnering with existing cellular carriers with access to a 5G network, raising questions of how they will be treated by federal regulators now that they have partnered with his company. The Trump Organization said those companies are America’s three biggest mobile network providers, an apparent reference to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, the latter with a trademarked name that is very similar to Trump’s T1 Mobile.

The name given to the monthly service offer, The 47 Plan, and the monthly $47.45 monthly fee make reference to Trump’s two terms, the 45th and the 47th. The service will include unlimited calls, texts and data and free roadside assistance and telehealth services.

A mock-up of the planned phone on the company’s website shows Trump’s slogan “Make America Great” on the front and an etched American flag on the back.

By sticking to licensing, the Trump family is limiting its risk. Still, the new service faces big challenges if it hopes to sell beyond the president’s loyal MAGA fans.

The Trump company tried to tap into support among the middle class in the first term with two mid-priced hotel chains. Called American Idea and Scion, and unveiled like the phone service Monday under a giant U.S. flag in the Trump Tower atrium, they flopped.

Despite taking in millions of dollars each year in various licensing deals and a string of new ventures, the Trump brand has taken a series of hits to its brand over the years.

During his first term, the Trump name was stripped off residential buildings and hotels in Toronto, Panama and Manhattan.

The Trump International Hotel in Washington, since sold, lost money even though the family opened its doors to businesses and governments trying to shape U.S. policy.

The average condo in 11 Trump-branded residential towers around the country underperformed the broader market during and immediately after Trump’s first term. More recently, the value of Trump condos in New York City fell in the past two years as similar properties rise in value, according to brokerage CityRealty.

The Trump Organization has had more success with some ventures launched in the first few months of his second term.

Trump Media & Technology Group, a Florida company that operates the Truth Social media platform, filed plans with security regulators Monday to launch an exchange-traded fund tied to the prices of two popular cryptocurrencies.

The ETF is part of the Trump family’s rapidly growing crypto empire, which includes a new stablecoin and launching and promoting memecoins.

The president’s most recent financial disclosure report reveals he made more than $57 million last year from World Liberty Financial, a crypto company he and his sons helped launch in September.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper intends to one day provide high-speed internet to customers around the world with more than 80 planned launches to deploy more than 3,200 satellites.

The first launch took place April 28 from Florida, and the next launch planned for June 16 would double the Kuiper satellites in orbit to 54.

The Kuiper initiative is a direct challenge to Elon Musk, whose SpaceX company has delivered more than 7,000 Starlink satellites to orbit since 2019.

For years, billionaire Elon Musk has dominated the internet-providing satellite business with his ever-growing Starlink constellation.

Since 2019, SpaceX’s famous Falcon 9 rocket has been regularly delivering to orbit batch after batch of Starlink satellites from launch sites in Florida and California. And since 2019, the venture has essentially gone unchallenged.

But that’s beginning to change.

As of late April, rival billionaire Jeff Bezos has officially entered the broadband network market following the inaugural launch into orbit of Amazon’s internet-beaming satellites. Known as Project Kuiper, the initiative is a subsidiary of the online commerce behemoth that has made Bezos one of the richest men alive.

Now, after delivering the first batch of 27 Kuiper satellites on April 28, Amazon is looking to deploy even more.

The upcoming launch, once again contracted with the Colorado-based United Launch Alliance, could get off the ground as early as Monday, June 16, from Florida. While a successful mission would double the number of Kuiper satellites Amazon has deployed, the company still has a long way to go until some 3,200 total planned satellites are operating in low-Earth orbit.

Here’s what to know about how Bezos expects Amazon to compete with Musk and Starlink with Project Kuiper, which could begin delivering service to customers by late 2025.

What is Project Kuiper? Amazon builds satellite constellation

Amazon’s Project Kuiper intends to one day provide high-speed internet to customers around the world. To achieve that goal, the company has begun building a constellation of satellites linked to a global network of antennas, fiber and internet connection points on the ground.

That endeavor officially began in April with a mission known as Kuiper Atlas 1 (KA-01) – named both for the Kuiper satellites and the Atlas V rocket that delivered them to low-Earth orbit. The famous Atlas V rocket is developed and operated by the United Launch Alliance (ULA,) a launch service provider that is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

The satellites – Amazon’s largest deployment to date – were significantly upgraded following an October 2023 launch of two prototype Kuiper satellites, according to the company.

Amazon’s $10 billion plans for Project Kuiper include a $140 million, 100,000-square-foot processing plant at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center that will prep Project Kuiper’s satellites for launch from the Cape.

Amazon has touted the service as one that will benefit “unserved and underserved communities” in rural areas where internet access may be elusive.

What is Starlink? Jeff Bezos, Amazon to compete with Elon Musk

The venture would provide a dose of competition to Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who founded SpaceX in 2002.

Musk’s commercial spaceflight company has long led the way in satellite launches, having launched more than 7,000 operational Starlink satellites into orbit since 2019.

The launches, making use of SpaceX’s famous two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, have become routine in Florida and California. This year, the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses commercial rocket launches, even gave SpaceX the greenlight to increase its Falcon 9 rocket launches from 36 per year to 50 from Southern California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

When is the next ULA launch of Kuiper satellites from Florida?

A delivery of another 27 Amazon Kuiper satellites could take place as soon as Monday, June 16.

Another ULA Atlas V rocket is due to launch as early as 1:25pm ET from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Once again, the Atlas V will be equipped with five solid rocket boosters for added liftoff power in addition to its main booster to accommodate the heaviest payload it’s ever flown. For that reason, there’s a chance people in states well beyond Florida could see the launch vehicle soar into the sky.

Following liftoff, the rocket will deploy the satellites at an altitude of 280 miles above Earth. The satellites then autonomously use their electric propulsion systems to ascend to 392 miles high, where they can orbit Earth once every 90 minutes, according to Amazon.

That’s also around the time when Amazon’s Project Kuiper team takes control from an operations center in Redmond, Washington.

Operating in what’s called low-Earth orbit – an altitude that allows for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly – helps reduce latency and connectivity issues during video calls, gaming and streaming.

What’s next for Amazon’s satellite constellation?

The upcoming launch will be just the second of about 80 in the years ahead as Amazon continues to amass its satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit. If all goes as planned, the company said it expects to “begin delivering service to customers later this year.”

Bezos and Amazon are a long way from catching up to Musk and Starlink, but the first-generation Kuiper satellite system is due to include 3,232 advanced low-Earth orbit satellites. And while Musk is able to take advantage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket – one of the most active in the world – for Starlink deployments, Bezos doesn’t yet have that luxury.

While spaceflight company Blue Origin, which Bezos also owns, develops its massive New Glenn rocket for Kuiper deliveries, Amazon will rely on contracting other launch service providers for Kuiper launches – including SpaceX.

However, United Launch Alliance will deploy a majority of the satellites on its Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur rockets. Amazon is also planning to contract with Arianespace.

ULA could launch up to five more Kuiper missions this year, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told Reuters in an interview in April. Amazon said in a 2020 FCC filing that it could begin service in some northern and southern regions at 578 satellites, with coverage expanding toward Earth’s equator as the company launches more satellites.

Contributing: Rick Neale, FLORIDA TODAY; Reuters

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

Austin, Texas – Tesla is expected to begin offering robotaxi service Sunday in Austin, an initial step that Elon Musk ‘s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave.

Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi is displayed during the AutoMobility LA 2024 auto show at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, November 21, 2024. © Robyn Beck / AFP

The launch – which comes as Musk refocuses on his business ventures following a controversial stint in Donald Trump’s administration – will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.

The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between Musk and Trump, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.

Since then, Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his statements, while his company’s Texas operation has readied the Austin push – part of a major drive on autonomous technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla bulls believe will yield huge profits.

This group includes Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, who said autonomous technology could be a catalyst for potentially $1 trillion in additional market value or more.

“There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Ives, who predicted that Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.”

“The golden era of autonomous for Tesla officially kicks off on Sunday in Austin,” Ives said in a note Friday.

Former

Mogul

is stepping into a new territory by launching a new business venture, amid rumors of buying back WWE. The former WWE chief has registered another firm in Connecticut, named 14TH & I Holdings, Investment, and Management LLC, which will substantially boost his net worth.

Tired of too many ads? go ad free now

McMahon still holds a significant stake in TKO, the company that now controls WWE, and has registered three limited liability companies (LLCs) in Connecticut as part of his latest business venture. The focus of these companies is to explore opportunities in sports, media, and entertainment, marking McMahon’s continued influence in the industry.

It has come to light now that the former WWE chief, McMahon, registered three limited liability companies in Connecticut on September 20, 2024.

Let’s find some more details related to it.

Vince McMahon launches three new business ventures

Vince McMahon has recently launched three limited liability companies (LLCs) in Connecticut as part of his latest business venture. The focus of these companies is to explore opportunities in sports, media, and entertainment, marking McMahon’s continued influence in the industry.

Reports suggest that on September 20, 2024,

registered a new business entity in Connecticut — 14TH & I Holdings, Investment, and Management LLC.

Earlier, on August 23, 2024, the trademarks “14TH&I” and “14TH & I” were filed to cover services related to private equity fund investment and entertainment production.

All three entities are based in Stamford, Connecticut, and McMahon is listed as the managing member of at least two of them.

Former WWE executive and close associate of Vince McMahon, Brad Blum, is identified as the President of 14TH & I, as per his verified LinkedIn profile.

Tired of too many ads? go ad free now

According to Blum’s LinkedIn profile, the firm is described as follows: “14th & I is a private investment firm focused on the sports, media, & entertainment sectors,” is how Blum’s profile describes the company. “We are a disciplined, flexible, long-term capital and strategic partner, primarily targeting buyouts/majority deals, as well as selective growth-oriented minority investments.

Blum further added, “We seek to partner with and empower exceptional management teams, providing deep expertise, capability, and relationships to help drive significant long-term value.”

The name 14TH & I” has historical significance, as it refers to the location of Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which was managed by McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, in the 1950s and 1960s.

John Laurinaitis to provide evidence against Vince McMahon and WWE in Janel Grant’s lawsuit

John Laurinatis has reportedly been removed from

after he agreed to provide evidence and cooperate with Grant’s legal team against defendant Vince McMahon.

Earlier, in January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit alleging

of sexual misconduct, including a coerced sexual relationship, sex trafficking, and repeated sexual assault.

Apart from McMahon, Janel also sued former executive John Laurinaitis.

Though Laurinaitis has been removed in the new filing submitted on Wednesday, WWE and Vince McMahon remain defendants. Besides, the defendants are expected to file motions to move the case out of public court and into private arbitration by June 13.

Also Read

:

With this development, it will now be interesting to witness where this case is taken further after Laurinaitis provides evidence as a part of the confidential settlement made by Grant’s legal team.

After almost a decade of ambitious promises, billionaire Elon Musk is finally launching Tesla’s first robotaxi service – with a limited fleet of vehicles and only in select areas of Austin. This cautious launch is set to mark the beginning of a new era for a company that places high hopes on autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and robotics to restore investor confidence and market appeal after declining sales. This was reported by Bloomberg, as conveyed by UNN.

Details

Tesla Inc. is launching its first robotaxi in the streets of Austin on Sunday, June 22. The launch is expected to be modest, “with a few vehicles in limited areas of the city. Tesla has carefully selected the first passengers, who are expected to provide feedback on the experience, so the general public will still have to wait.”

According to the disclosed terms, robotaxis will operate daily from 6:00 AM to midnight in limited areas of the city, excluding the airport. The service may be unavailable during unfavorable weather conditions. During trips, a “safety observer” will be present in the front passenger seat during the early access period.

Musk stated that initially 10 to 20 vehicles would be involved, and within several months, the fleet could grow to a thousand cars. Later, there are plans to launch a specially designed Cybercab without a steering wheel or pedals.

As the publication notes, investors have keenly anticipated the launch of Tesla’s first robotaxi service, hoping that this new business will help restore the company after declining car sales. Tesla’s CEO is betting on the prospects of autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robots—areas that, while having great potential, largely remain unproven.

The company has long offered its Full Self Driving system, which, despite its name, requires constant driver monitoring and does not make the car fully autonomous. The new robotaxi network will use an “unsupervised” version of the software, allowing it to operate without a human behind the wheel.

Safety remains a key factor for self-driving cars. Adverse incidents involving injuries or fatalities can lead to strict regulatory restrictions and a severe blow to companies’ reputations. For example, General Motors’ autonomous driving business, Cruise, ceased operations in 2023 after an accident involving a pedestrian, and its license was suspended in California. Uber also halted self-driving vehicle testing after a fatal accident in Arizona in 2018 and subsequently sold its business developing such technologies.

“This is the first real test. Attention will be especially heightened, particularly to any negative events. There is a lot at stake,” – noted Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management.

Tesla has recently intensified testing in Austin, the capital of Texas. Elon Musk even published a video showing one of the vehicles moving through the streets without a driver. Some details of the launch emerged after several active social media users reported receiving early access to the new robotaxi app and ride service.

In Texas, there are certain requirements for autonomous vehicles: presence of cameras, insurance, and compliance with traffic rules. A ridesharing license is not yet required. At the federal level, the U.S. is simplifying the procedure for obtaining permits for self-driving cars without steering wheels and pedals. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced its intention to shorten the processing times for applications, which can currently take years.

Reminder

Earlier, UNN wrote that Texas lawmakers urged Tesla to postpone the robotaxi launch until September due to a new law on autonomous driving. They are asking the company to provide proof of compliance with the law if the launch occurs this month.