Trump left red-faced after iPhone ring disrupts his Oval Office rant on punishing Apple with tariffs

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump found himself interrupted twice by none other than his own iPhone right in the middle of a fiery critique aimed at Apple.

The moment unfolded just hours after he took to his Truth Social platform to threaten the company with a 25% tariff on products made outside the United States, the Irish Star reported. 

Donald Trump interrupted by his iPhone just moments after blasting Apple

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, May 23, Donald Trump doubled down on his demand that Apple move iPhone production from countries like India to American soil. “I don’t want Canada making our phones,” he declared right as his iPhone began to ring loudly from the podium.

Amid laughter from reporters, Trump swiped to silence the call and said, “It’s only a congressman.” Trying to continue, he was again interrupted less than 30 seconds later. “It’s a different congressman. They’re all congratulating us,” he added, drawing another wave of chuckles.

This comes amid reports that Apple has significantly ramped up production in India, with plans to manufacture 25% of its global iPhones there in the near future. While Apple has invested heavily in US operations reportedly pledging $500 billion in February only a fraction of its products are currently assembled domestically.

Analysts warn that shifting full-scale iPhone manufacturing to the U.S. could raise consumer prices to between $1,500 and $3,000 per unit, due to higher labor and infrastructure costs.

Donald Trump threatens 25% tariff on foreign-made iPhones

Taking to Truth Social on Friday morning, Donald Trump declared that iPhones sold within the US must also be built domestically.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US," he wrote. 

The announcement triggered an immediate market reaction. Apple shares fell by 2.6%, erasing roughly $70 billion in market value and pushing the tech giant’s valuation back under the $3 trillion mark.

The MAGA leader didn’t limit his warnings to Apple. Speaking to reporters later on Friday, the president emphasized that other smartphone makers, including South Korean tech giant Samsung, would also be subject to the same 25% tariff if they manufacture phones outside the US.

“It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair," Trump told reporters while speaking to them in the Oval Office. He indicated the tariffs could go into effect as early as the end of June.

Donald Trump mocked online as his iPhone rings during rant against

Donald Trump became the subject of widespread ridicule after his iPhone rang not once, but twice just moments after he criticized Apple in the Oval Office.

The irony of the moment wasn’t lost on social media users, who jumped at the chance to highlight the contradiction.

One commented, “I mean, there are two main choices: iPhone or Android. You can be disgruntled at the fact that the iPhone is not made in the USA and have an iPhone at the same time. I think we need something entirely new.”

Others couldn’t resist cracking jokes, with one quipping, “It was Tim Apple, wasn't it?!?”

Several took a more satirical tone, with one writing, “That’s the Qataris calling to collect on the debt he now owes them.”

“Damn, even his phone is betraying him,” a person quipped, while another added, “It was Tim Cook saying he’s cancelling the $500bn investment in America…”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.