1. Comparison with Other Carriers

Relatively speaking, one of the most immediate comparison points is the pricing when compared to other established carriers. One example is the unlimited talk, text, data and hotspot plan available from Verizon's Visible for just $25 a month. Switch to the Mint's 12-month unlimited plan and you can pay as low as $30 each month. It's also my best guess as to why Trump's plan appears in this context to be potentially far more expensive than those alternatives.

2. Additional Services

It's a little more expensive, but Trump Mobile promotes its plan as having "5G Overages Available" and the "Same Coverage as the 3 Nationwide Phone Service Carriers," support for US-based customer service call center. One wrinkle is that the third-party telehealth service costs at least $29 per month, though it remains to be seen whether Trump Mobile subscribers will have this expense covered.

3. The T1 Smartphone

Stop right there, it gets even worse with the "T1 Phone", also a part of the Trump Mobile offering going for $499. The phone's gold matte backplate is studded with an emblem of the American flag (etched lovingly, of course), and all this bravado is shockingly fronted by a particularly gaudy metalwork, a luxe, gold sheen no less. Proudly designed and built in the USA: That's their tagline. While it may be worth the money, for most people, that price tag can seem too expensive when compared to other smartphones.

4. Ethical Concerns

So, beyond the economic pragmatism of subscriptions, there are also moral points to consider. Critics questioned the ethics of taking advantage of presidential power and publicity to make profit, and scrutinized Trump Organization enterprises.