Mark Cuban issues sharp response to Trump's controversial $499 gold phone

Donald Trump is rolling out the gold carpet, and it looks like he's got your number, as the President of the United States has just revealed his $499 golden phone. While Trump made his millions in real estate, he's since branched out into politics to serve as the 45th and 47th POTUS.

Old habits die hard, and after releasing his own $TRUMP meme coin, his next money-making venture is here.

While we still wait for Elon Musk to pull his finger out when it comes to the long-rumored Tesla Pi phone to rival Apple and Google, it seems his former BFF is trying to get the jump on the competition.

Hot off the heels of unveiling his plans for the USA's 'Golden Dome' and releasing his $5 million gold card where you can pay to fast-track American citizenship, he's continued his love of carats with his own golden mobile phone.

It's clear that Trump is trying to take on the likes of the iPhone here, although the $499 golden phone that's supposedly made for 'real Americans' has already been branded as a 'scam' by those who've spotted it might not even be made in the US.

Shark Tank's Mark Cuban has passed judgment, and it doesn't look like he's a fan of the device. Posting on X, the billionaire responded to one question where someone asked why the American public can't see Trump for 'what he is'. Cuban had already said, "I just want to know who makes them and where," adding: "I think the smart game they are probably playing is to put a crypto wallet on the phone that leverages WLF, $Trump and their stable coins.

"Whatever transactions they can create generates fees for them and there are so many way to sell things and pre-load whatever they want."

Trump has been closely linked to World Liberty Financial since it launched in 2024, with Cuban spotting how a Trump-sponsored phone would be an easy way to push his cryptocurrency to those who already hang on his every word.

Trump Mobile is supposed to be a new wireless cell phone service where you can keep your current device or switch to a new one, with the $499 being a big selling point. Although the T1 is supposed to ship in September, there are typically more questions than answers.

There are plenty of concerns, with Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, telling the BBC: "It's unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office."

Others have said it would be 'virtually impossible' to make the phone in the USA. At a time when the POTUS has put pressure on Apple and Tim Cook to build big in America, the idea that his own handset might not be built here is sure to be even more of a sore point than its price tag and additional $47.45 monthly cost.