Overview
- The Atlantic reported on March 14, citing two administration officials, that the president’s private number has been offered for sale and is circulating through influence brokers.
- CEOs and cryptocurrency investors have reportedly proposed cash or digital assets to acquire the number.
- Journalists have been trading high-profile contacts, including other world leaders’ numbers, in swaps to obtain the president’s direct line.
- Officials say reporters now call the phone repeatedly, describing the situation as widespread and “out of control.”
- Despite concerns that off-the-cuff phone remarks have moved markets and produced inconsistent messages, aides say there are no plans to change the number, and a spokesperson called the president “the most transparent and accessible” in history.