Trump’s Sons Claim New Phone Will Be Made in the USA, but Experts Spot Striking Resemblance to Chinese Models

When the Trump Organization launched its new wireless service, Trump Mobile, they claimed their T1 smartphone would be “proudly designed” and built in the United States. However, experts are skeptical about fulfilling such ambitious promises.

Experts highlight striking similarities between the T1’s specifications and those of existing phones made in China. Todd Weaver, CEO of Purism, emphasized that producing a smartphone in the U.S. would require extensive, unnoticed preparations. He commented, “Unless the Trump family secretly built out a secure, onshore operation over years of work without anyone noticing, it’s simply not possible to deliver what they’re promising.”

The Trump sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, have made enticing claims, stating the phone would be “Made in the USA.” Yet, Eric Trump later mentioned in an interview that manufacturing everything in the U.S. would happen “eventually.” This raises questions about the initial production plans.

Max Weinbach, an analyst at Creative Strategies, noted that the T1 closely resembles the Revvl 7 Pro 5G, a phone made by the Chinese company Wingtech, which retails for about $169. Both devices share similar features, including screen size, battery life, and even the presence of a headphone jack—a rarity in many modern smartphones.

It’s common for brands to customize devices from Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) with slightly adjusted parts. Weinbach explained, “A lot of them share the same components and hardware,” making it straightforward to swap various elements.

The challenges of manufacturing smartphones in the U.S. are significant. Ryan Reith, from the International Data Corporation, pointed out that essential fabrication plants don’t currently exist in the country. Many components still rely on international sources. He stated, “Any phone that’s going to be shipped into the U.S. is unlikely to be fully manufactured here.”

Furthermore, companies like Apple face similar challenges. President Trump has urged them to shift production back to the U.S., which would require substantial adjustments to the supply chain and skilled labor force.

Even Purism, which makes a secure “Made in America” phone costing $1,999, still sources some parts abroad. Weaver explained that certain components, like a specific crystal used in GPS chips, are uniquely produced in China, illustrating the complexities of achieving a fully domestic supply chain.

The Federal Trade Commission has strict rules about claiming products as “Made in the USA.” Weaver predicted that the Trump Organization might need to reconsider its manufacturing narrative. He remarked, “Just to manufacture a phone in the U.S. with the chipsets being utilized is a massive undertaking.”

As the tech landscape evolves, the discussion around manufacturing locations remains crucial. With the rise of local production advocates and ongoing supply chain challenges, it will be interesting to watch how tech giants like the Trump Organization navigate these hurdles.

For more detailed insights on manufacturing in the U.S., you can read the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines.

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