Latest news with #MAGA-themed
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trump Mobile: All about president's new mobile service and gold 5G phone
Just months into his second term, Donald Trump is using his well-known image as a 'Phone Guy' to launch a new business. The nickname, recently highlighted by The Atlantic, now ties into his latest venture: Trump Mobile. On Monday, the Trump Organization announced a 5G cellular service and a MAGA-themed gold smartphone, both released under the banner of Trump Mobile, dubbed the 'T1 Phone.' In a press release, the company described it as a service offering 'top-tier connectivity, unbeatable value and all-American service,' available through AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The '47 Plan,' priced at $47.75 per month, includes roadside help, unlimited data and telehealth access. That's not all. According to Fast Company, a flashy $499 'T1 Phone,' loaded with gold accents and MAGA slogans, is set to drop this fall. The T1 Phone design embraces everything Trump-era branding is known for: minimal design, bold fonts and heavy-handed symbolism. Images on the official website show a gold-coloured back etched with the American flag and a Trump Mobile logo. The phone will run Android 15. Although details about its manufacturing are vague, the phone claims to be 'American-made.' Trump's sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, confirmed that customer support will be based in Missouri. Still, most phones and parts sold in the U.S. are sourced from Asia, and Trump Mobile hasn't confirmed where the T1 Phone is built. This isn't Trump's first golden venture. His Oval Office has been gilded, his jet is lined with gold furniture, and earlier this year, he launched a 'gold card' visa initiative aimed at wealthy immigrants. The new phone, much like his sneaker line and Bible partnership, adds another layer to a growing business portfolio powered by politics and personal branding. ALSO READ: Trump Mobile released, T1 phone to be launched Sept 2025 | What do they offer? Although the Trump Organization stated before his second term that it would be run by his children, ethics experts remain uneasy. The Trump Mobile website clarifies that the Trump name is used under a licence and the business is not owned directly by the Trump Organization. That hasn't stopped concerns. 'No one who has been paying attention could miss that President Trump considers the presidency a vehicle to grow his family's wealth,' Harvard Law School's Lawrence Lessig told Reuters. 'Maybe this example will help more come to see this undeniable truth.' According to a financial disclosure filed last week, Trump's licensed product ventures, from colognes to guitars, raked in over $8 million in 2024 alone. However, experts like Paolo Pescatore, a telecom analyst at PP Foresight, told Reuters that the new phone venture raises fresh questions: 'It's unclear what kind of commercial relationship Trump Mobile has with actual telecom players.' The company's emphasis on US manufacturing mirrors Trump's broader economic policy. As new tariffs hit Asian electronics, the President's calls for domestic production grow louder. Trump Mobile claims to be built on those very values, though independent verification is still missing. What's clear is that the lines between campaigning, governance and business have never looked more intertwined. With MAGA-themed devices in voters' hands by fall, Trump's latest venture seems designed not only for profit but for visibility, and perhaps influence, too. It's a new mobile service and smartphone brand launched by the Trump family. The '47 Plan' is priced at $47.75 per month. It's gold-themed, runs Android 15, and bears MAGA branding. Trump Mobile claims so, but no official details have been confirmed. Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are leading the new venture.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘From nobody to the White House': Who is Dominick McGee? MAGA influencer stirring up outrage on X
(Photo: NYT) Dominick McGee was once just another online voice shouting into the void. But this April, the 31-year-old walked into the White House for a Trump press briefing — a moment of validation he proudly recorded for his 1.5 million X followers. 'I was a nobody,' he was quoted as saying by the New York Times. 'No clout, no followers, no nothing, no money. And look what's able to be created in the land of the free.' McGee's journey from a one-bedroom flat in Miami to the White House has been anything but usual. He started out posting conspiracy theories from his couch. Today, he's one of the most well-known far-right voices on X. At one point, he was ranked the third most influential user on the platform — just behind Elon Musk and Andrew Tate. But while he gained a lot of attention, the money didn't always follow. His rise came from a familiar formula: post all day, stir controversy, and grab attention. McGee starts his online work at 9 a.m. and continues until 8 p.m., hoping to catch the platform's algorithm. One post about WNBA star Brittney Griner went viral with over 11 million views after he encouraged users to misgender her. 'I know for a fact that Brittney Griner will go viral,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Classic Solitaire , Built for Desktop Play Solitaire Download Undo 'It's a great post to start the day.' McGee grew up in South Carolina, where he once thought selling drugs or joining a gang might be his only way forward. Instead, he joined the Army, later studied at Penn State through a veterans' programme, and tried his hand at music and fashion. But it was Trump's 'Stop the Steal' campaign that brought him an online following. A Facebook group he ran was banned for sharing false election information. He then switched to X, where Elon Musk's platform rewarded posts that got attention — though the pay was unpredictable. Since 2023, McGee has made about $157,000 from X's revenue-sharing programme. He earned $67,000 in the first year, but after being kicked out of the programme in 2024, his payments dropped to just $12,000. He complained to Musk and got a 'Will fix' reply — but not much happened. He only got another $16,000 after that. McGee also earned about $62,000 from followers who pay $10 a month for his exclusive posts. He once landed a $150,000 deal to promote a MAGA-themed cryptocurrency. But that coin lost over 90% of its value, and McGee was left using what was left to pay for rent, food, and his dog's meals. At one point, he had only $7 in his bank account. Even though he talks about investing in real estate and buying a Lamborghini, McGee admitted he made less than $55,000 last year. 'Honestly, $150,000 is a lot compared to my broke a** in the past,' he said. 'But I'm actually pretty poor. I'm one of the poor creators.' One of his biggest complaints is that X doesn't tell creators how much they'll earn from each post, making it hard to plan. 'That's insane for any adult to have to live their life that way,' he said. Now, McGee is shifting again — this time to podcasting and short viral videos. He's started a new show recorded in a Miami apartment. The idea isn't just to talk, but to create 30-second clips that go viral. The topics are lighter — celebrity news and pop culture — meant to attract a wider audience before sharing his political views. It's a method used by others like Candace Owens. 'It's not what I started off as originally,' he said. 'It's a survival mechanism. That's what it takes.' But controversy keeps following him. In 2023, McGee was suspended from X for posting a disturbing news image about child sexual abuse. He later said he was misunderstood and upset that no one asked about his side of the story. On a recent podcast, a guest used a homophobic slur and shared white nationalist views. McGee seemed uncomfortable and later said, 'Social media has radicalised him a little bit.' 'The first goal is to be seen,' he said. 'And they give you that.'
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kash Patel's fashion statement: From FBI boss to MAGA merch guy
ટ્રમ્પના વિશ્વાસુ અને FBI ડિરેક્ટર કાશ પટેલ ઈમિગ્રેશન એન્ફોર્સમેન્ટમાં મહત્વની ભૂમિકા ભજવી રહ્યા છે. Kash Patel isn't just making waves in politics—he's making them in fashion too. Yeah, we're talking about the current FBI Director (and Trump favorite) who's just as comfortable in a tailored suit as he is in a meme-worthy t-shirt. From courtroom chic to merch mogul vibes, Kash's style tells its own wild story. The suit game: Classic… with a dash of Kash When it's time to be official, Kash rolls out in the classics—sharp suits, clean white shirts, and bold ties. The kind of outfit that says 'I mean business.' But look closer and you'll spot the personal touches. Like at his confirmation hearings—red power tie, American flag pin—basically screaming, 'I'm patriotic and not afraid to show it.' It's the little things that give away where his loyalties lie, and he's not shy about it. The merch madness Now here's where it gets interesting. Kash isn't just about suits—he's also low-key (or maybe not-so-low-key) cashing in on his political brand. He's got a foundation, and that foundation is putting money into an online store run by a buddy of his. The name? Based Apparel. The goods? MAGA-themed t-shirts and hoodies, with slogans like—you guessed it—'Female Body Inspector.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Middle-Class Americans Waste Money [Learn More] DollarPerks Learn More Undo Yup, that old frat-boy joke somehow made it into his merch line, and surprise, not everyone thinks it's funny. Critics called it tacky, even inappropriate, especially for someone heading up the FBI. But Kash? He's leaned into it. After all, controversy sells—and so does MAGA. The Shein surprise Then there's the international angle. Turns out Patel had a consulting gig with Shein—you know, the Chinese fast-fashion giant known for cranking out trendy clothes and, um, questionable labor practices. He reportedly walked away with stock valued somewhere between $1 and $5 million. Not bad, huh? But here's the thing: people weren't thrilled about a top U.S. law enforcement official doing side gigs with a company that's constantly in hot water. Still, Kash hasn't exactly backed away from it. It's all part of the hustle. Proudly desi Fashion for Kash isn't just political—it's personal too. As an Indian-American, he sometimes throws in subtle nods to his heritage. Think: kurta for Diwali, saffron-colored ties during Hindu festivals, maybe even the occasional 'Jai Shri Ram' post on social media. He's not walking around in full Bollywood gear every day, but he knows how to blend cultural pride into his look without making it feel like a costume. His supporters love it, and it's become part of his personal brand—equal parts FBI and desi pride. And who could forget the Bollywood moment? After he was tapped as FBI Director, Dan Scavino (one of Trump's old media guys) shared a hilarious deepfake-style video of Kash's face pasted onto a scene from Bajirao Mastani. The song? 'Malhari'—a straight-up victory anthem. The video went viral fast. People couldn't decide if it was cringe or genius, but one thing's for sure—it made Kash look like a Bollywood boss. And maybe that was the point. The infamous T-shirt moment One of Kash's most talked-about 'looks' wasn't even at a political event. It was a candid moment: him, in a 'Female Body Inspector' t-shirt. Yep. That shirt. It popped up online and exploded across social media. Some folks laughed it off, others cringed hard. For a guy running the FBI, it felt a little… off-brand. But if you know anything about Kash Patel, you know he's not trying to fit into anyone else's box. That shirt? Probably just another way to keep people talking. At the end of the day, Kash Patel's wardrobe is doing way more than just covering his back. It's a toolkit—for branding, for messaging, for stirring the pot. Whether he's rocking a D.C. suit, a controversial hoodie, or bringing a little Bollywood flair into government halls, Patel's style is always saying something. You might love it, hate it, or just roll your eyes, but you can't ignore it. And really, that's kind of the point. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
BarkBox employee compared Pride to MAGA in leaked memo. The CEO apologized.
BarkBox employee compared Pride to MAGA in leaked memo. The CEO apologized. "I do not agree with the content of the message," BarkBox founder and CEO Matt Meeker said. "It wasn't good, it doesn't reflect our values and I'm deeply sorry that it happened." Show Caption Hide Caption Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue celebrating Pride Organizers say political pressure is motivation to continue organizing and celebrating Pride, although some corporate support dwindles. Less than a week into Pride Month, BarkBox is receiving backlash for a leaked memo that compares an LGBTQ+ themed pet collection to the Make America Great Again movement. Now the monthly dog subscription service's CEO is looking to make amends. The memo, shared to Reddit this week, informed a group of employees that the monthly dog subscription service would cease advertisements for its Pride collection, which includes several Pride and rainbow accessories. The memo was shared by one employee to a small group of others, BarkBox confirmed to USA TODAY. "While celebrating Pride is something we may value, we need to acknowledge that the current climate makes this promotion feel more like a political statement than a universally joyful moment for all dog people," the memo shared on Reddit reads. "If we wouldn't feel comfortable running a promotion centered around another politically charged symbol (like a MAGA-themed product), it's worth asking whether this is the right moment to run this particular campaign." BarkBox CEO: 'It wasn't good' In a social media statement shared on June 4, BarkBox founder and CEO Matt Meeker apologized for the leaked memo. "I do not agree with the content of the message," Meeker wrote. "It wasn't good, it doesn't reflect our values and I'm deeply sorry that it happened." As of June 6, BarkBox's Pride collection was promoted on the BarkBox website. Since the leaked memo, Meeker shared that 100% of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to the LGBTQ resource, Kaleidoscope Youth Center in Columbus, Ohio. DEI: What fueled the Target DEI boycott? The answer may surprise you Pride Month: What are the safest places for gay and trans people? See where your state ranks What else did the BarkBox memo say? "After some thoughtful discussion today with leadership, we've made the decision to pause all paid ads and lifecycle marketing pushes for the Pride kit effective immediately," the memo shared on Reddit begins. "This isn't about backing away from support − it's about tone and ensuring our marketing remains inclusive and welcoming to everyone in our community. Right now, pushing this promo risks unintentionally sending the message that 'we're not for you' to a large portion of our audience," the memo concludes. BarkBox did not confirm when the memo was sent, or by who. What is BarkBox's Pride collection? BarkBox's Pride collection features more than 25 LGBTQ+ themed toys, including a rainbow tug toy, "slay the drag queen" plush and "gaylien," an alien plushy with a T-shirt that reads, "Take me to your leather," a reference to the queer leather community. These items an be added to any BarkBox for an upcharge. A typical BarkBox, which is $24 a month, includes two toys and two treats each month. More Pride Month: Trump's actions on LGBTQ+ issues in Pride Month criticized as 'bullying' by advocates Memo leak follows other national brands moving away from DEI The memo follows a string of companies who have eradicated or pulled back on DEI − diversity, equity and inclusion − programs, including Target, Walmart, Amazon and McDonald's. The DEI rollbacks began after President Donald Trump took office. As soon as he could, the president issued executive orders to dismantle DEI by putting pressure on federal contractors to end "illegal DEI discrimination" and direct federal agencies to draw up lists of companies that should be investigated for their DEI policies. And while Trump has been successful in part during his first 100 days in office, there are still countless major companies publicly backing DEI, including Costco, American Express, Apple and Levi's. Contributing: Jessica Gunn, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BarkBox CEO apologizes for leaked message exposing paused Pride ads — but they're still paused
BarkBox's CEO is "deeply sorry" for a leaked message that revealed the company's plans to forgo advertising for its LGBTQ+ Pride collection — but they appear to have followed through on those plans. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. The dog product subscription service came under fire earlier this week after a message from an employee was shared on social media, exposing the company's intentions to "pause all paid ads and lifestyle marketing pushes for the Pride kit effective immediately." The author referred to LGBTQ+ existence as "another politically charged symbol," comparing it to being a supporter of Donald Trump. "While celebrating Pride is something we may value, we need to acknowledge that the current climate makes this promotion feel more like a political statement than a universally joyful moment for all dog people," the message reads. "If we wouldn't feel comfortable running a promotion centered around another politically charged symbol (like a MAGA-themed product), it's worth asking whether this is the right moment to run this particular campaign." "Right now, pushing this promo risks unintentionally sending the message that 'we're not for you' to a large portion of our audience," the author concluded. After backlash online — including users unsubscribing and threatening boycotts — CEO Matt Meeker posted a statement on BarkBox's Instagram apologizing for the message. He insisted that "the Pride Collection is still available" and that the company has "no plans to remove them," but did not address the advertising roll back. "I apologize. A few days go, an internal message from a BARK team member was released on social media," Meeker wrote. "The message was disrespectful and hurtful to the LGBTQIA+ community, and as the CEO of BARK, I'm responsible for that. I do not agree with the content of the message. It wasn't good, it doesn't reflect our values, and I'm deeply sorry that it happened." Meeker added that instead of donating a portion of the profits from the Pride Collection to a "worthy organization," BarkBox would donate "100 percent of the revenue" this year. As of publishing, the Pride Collection does not appear on BarkBox's home page, nor is it listed under the website's "Monthly Themes" tab. There are no posts advertising the collection on the same company Instagram page that Meeker issued his apology on. A spokesperson for BarkBox told The Advocate that the Pride Collection has been advertised on the website "in the yellow banner at the top of the page." An Internet Archive snapshot of the website from yesterday shows no banner, suggesting it was added in the past 24 hours. Collections BarkBox seemingly considers not "politically charged" include cannabis leaf merchandise for the 420 holiday, a "fleshlight" pig in a blanket toy, and a Harry Potter collection — when writer J.K. Rowling has been using her personal profits to fund legal cases tat restricted the rights of transgender people.
