Trump's phone number is spreading - the cell phone is ringing non-stop

Isak Fritzon

Published 16.28

 

Here Trump's phone rings several times during a conversation about nuclear power in the Oval Office. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

The president's private phone number has become Washington's hottest commodity.

CEOs, crypto guys and journalists all want to get over the ten digits - and many succeed, reports The Atlantic. 

- Honestly, it's crazy, says a White House official.

Quick version

• The president's phone number has become a sought-after commodity among CEOs, crypto bros and journalists who offer money or other valuable contacts in exchange.
• The president's phone rings non-stop, making it difficult for the White House to keep track of incoming calls and questions, which could affect their communications strategy.
• Despite the high volume of calls and potential complications, Trump seems to appreciate the attention and has no plans to change his number.

The president's phone number has become a sought-after commodity among CEOs, crypto bros and journalists who offer money or other valuable contacts in exchange.
The president's phone rings nonstop.

This is perhaps not so surprising. Donald Trump is president, but his private cell phone number has also reportedly become a sought-after currency.

"I've heard of CEOs offering money for his number. I've heard of crypto brokers offering cryptocurrency," an anonymous administration official told The Atlantic. 

           

         Taking a call on the way to the golf course. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP      

Even journalists are reportedly trading numbers with each other.

A reporter recently offered more than 24 phone numbers to influential people in exchange for the president’s contact information. However, the default currency is said to be the number of another world leader. 

“Boom, boom, boom”

At the beginning of Donald Trump’s current term, the number was relatively secret and was only shared with friends and a few journalists.

          

         Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is one of many who have the president's number. Photo: Alex Brandon /           AP

Now his cellphone screen is constantly lit up with calls and notifications that pile up when he puts his phone face up during meetings.

- It's literally call after call from reporters. It's boom, boom, boom.

The president gets so many calls that his staff no longer tries to keep track of who's calling.

The worry: Spontaneous responses

The hunt for quick quotes from the president is making it harder for the White House to maintain a clear line. Officials worry that spontaneous responses in passing can carry as much weight as planned interviews - or that the president is wasting time on unimportant questions.

          

          Heading to Mar-a-Lago with the phone pressed to his ear. Photo: Luis M. Alvarez / AP

Despite there being no plans to change the number.

According to advisers, Trump seems to rather enjoy the attention.

– He likes it, says an official.

The White House spokesman says Trump is “the most transparent and accessible president in history.”

– The press can’t get enough of him.