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US Mobile Phones Owners Just Got A 'Presidential Alert'

US Mobile Phones Owners Just Got A 'Presidential Alert'

There was no way to opt out of the alert

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Most mobile-phone owners in the US have just received a text message from President Donald Trump, which I can imagine put the shits up a fair few people.

Over 200 million people - or 75 percent - got the test 'Presidential Alert' earlier today. The message read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

The test was sent out to check that an emergency communication system, which has been in place but unused for some time, works as it should.

The system is intended to be used in the case of major threats, such as natural disasters, missile attacks and acts of terrorism.

Despite being dubbed the 'Trump Alert', the POTUS wasn't directly involved in the trial; it was ran by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will also be in charge of running the system should it ever need to be used in the event of an emergency.

In fact, the system was actually designed and set up during George W Bush and Barack Obama's terms as presidents.

But that little fact didn't stop people from flocking to Twitter to take the piss, of course:




There's no way to opt out of the alert, and its reported that even if phones were on silent it would make a notification sound.

The message was sent at 2.18pm eastern time and was only received once, however, it was broadcast for half an hour to ensure everyone got it.

It was initially planned to run the test on 20 September, but it was delayed after parts of the US were hit by Hurricane Florence.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: US News, Donald Trump, politics