Where the Secret Service didn’t let President Barack Obama use his BlackBerry and essentially gave him a toy phone, one can not snatch President Donald Trump’s phone away from him.
Trump has a very personal, unique relationship with his phone. After all, it is a crucial necessity to update his social media account and let people know if the nation is going to war.
This obsessive relationship was cultivated both during his presidency and in the years since. Reportedly, he is almost attached to his personal smartphones. He always carries at least two at all times: one for calls and another for social media.
Sources close to Trump say he often answers calls from unknown numbers. He has been warned by both security experts and aides, but he has always brushed such suggestions aside.
While Trump has portrayed this accessibility as “always reachable,” it has become a glaring national security concern.
Security professionals have also warned that Trump’s mobile and internet habits make him a prime target for cyber-espionage.
He has continued the use of his personal device rather than government-issued ones. He could expose himself to foreign adversaries like China and Iran, and could become a target.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, experts observed an increase in attempts to infiltrate communications. It was seen for all major political figures, including Trump. These attempts were not limited to general surveillance. Some of these involved advanced hacking techniques such as extracting call data, recording audio via open microphones, and implanting spyware.
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP.
As soon as Trump trashed Apple for making phones overseas, his own iPhone started ringing and buzzing. Then he seemed to incorrectly swipe to answer it before clicking off, saying it was a congressman.
He turned red so fast I wonder who it really was. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/SFkODXOEqP
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 23, 2025
Donald Trump’s exposure to cyber threats is not hypothetical. It has already happened before. In one of the most concerning incidents, Iranian hackers from the group APT42 allegedly tried to disrupt Trump’s campaign. It was done through phishing emails and mobile spyware. The primary target of this cyber attack was Trump aides and his inner-circle operatives.
Around the same time, Chinese-affiliated hackers known as Salt Typhoon also attacked US communications. A cyber breach was noticed on one of the major U.S. telecom networks.
According to reports, both Trump and JD Vance may have exposed their calls during the breach.
Clearly #45 memory is fading fast… He ALWAYS used his personal iPhone in WH for calls even after being told over and over again about the security risk. He disliked his secure gov issued cell- he said it was slow and “buggy” pic.twitter.com/k3ZruFWGzS
— Omarosa (@OMAROSA) October 25, 2018
The idea that state-sponsored entities could be listening to a former or future US president is no longer a futuristic conspiracy. It’s a documented risk.
Donald Trump’s aides have been trying to convince him to use more secure modes of communication. It has become more important now that Iran has released two Fatwas against him. An attack on the president may not come directly. But he can give away important information about his location and his plans if his phone is susceptible to a cyber attack.
🚨JUST IN: A hacker got access to the personal cell phone of Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles including using AI to imitate her voice on calls.@WSJ with the story: https://t.co/g94rl8YiPz pic.twitter.com/sSDsdlpZKu
— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) May 31, 2025
Aides have also tried to push for limited use of personal phones. They have suggested he rotate his devices frequently and avoid using his phone in more sensitive environments. Most of these attempts have been futile as Trump has resisted almost all of these suggestions.
Trump has reportedly dismissed the concerns and insisted that his devices are “the best”. He has also denied that any foreign agency could gain access to them.
Despite best efforts, securing Trump’s communications remains a daunting challenge. Advisors have quietly admitted that persuading Trump to change his habits has proven nearly impossible..
