On Friday, May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump’s hands shook with glee as he hoisted Apple Inc.’s new iPhone. His executive order, signed in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. This day-long event attended by government officials of all stripes occurred just as Trump’s war of words with AT&T, the country’s third-largest wireless carrier, was reaching a crescendo.
Just earlier that week on Monday in fact, Trump went to Truth Social to air his grievances directly with AT&T on their poor performance. In consecutive posts, he described the company as “totally unable to make their equipment work properly,” reflecting his dissatisfaction with their performance. He opined that AT&T “need[s] to get [its] act together,” signaling a desire for AT&T to do better and improve their services.
The President’s comments came just days after a serious communications failure that prompted him to scramble for other carriers to use for future calls. He remarked, “We may have to reschedule the call, but we’ll use another carrier the next time.” This comment highlighted his increasing frustration with the telecommunications company.
In another post, Trump expressed his disappointment more pointedly, saying, “AT&T obviously doesn’t know what they’re doing!” His comments reveal his personal frustrations, but they highlight the systemic failings at play. They point to the increasing unreliability of any telecom service in the United States.
During the executive order signing in the Oval Office, Trump showcased his iPhone, which symbolizes his reliance on technology amid his critique of service providers. Photo by Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images Because it brilliantly captures the state of affairs when national governance collides with our use of technology on an individual basis.
Reacting to the news, many users on Trump’s comments seem to have faced similar frustrations with networks services and found it to be a relatable experience. As one of the nation’s transportation leaders, he has a huge impact on changing the narrative. His public views might likewise lead to transformation in AT&T’s business internal policies.