More than half a million people put down $100 each for a gold smartphone that promised to be “Made in the USA.” However, a year later, no one seems to have received the device.
Launched by President Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the Trump Mobile T1 smartphone was unveiled on June 16, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of Trump’s 2016 campaign. The phone aimed to compete with Apple and Samsung and attracted around 590,000 buyers, generating $59 million in deposits.
Customers expected the phone would arrive in late summer 2025. But delays quickly mounted—first to November, then December, and finally mid-March of this year. By April, Trump Mobile had removed all release dates from its website.
NBC News, which placed a deposit to follow the story, reported multiple unsuccessful attempts to get updates from Trump Mobile’s support line. The company had promised to start shipping on specific dates, but those dates came and went without any deliveries. One customer said it was the worst purchasing experience they had ever had.
As of January 2026, lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have raised concerns about the company’s practices, asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate what they described as “bait-and-switch tactics.” These tactics revolve around deposits for products that may never be delivered. The lawmakers argue that consumer protection laws should apply to everyone, regardless of political ties.
Adding to the confusion, Trump Mobile recently updated its terms and conditions regarding the preorder deposit. They stated that the deposit does not guarantee a sale, delivery, or even production of the phone, which complicates consumer expectations.
Meanwhile, the promise of a “Made in the USA” device has evolved. The company now refers to the phone as “American-proud design,” suggesting it may not be produced entirely on U.S. soil. According to recent reports, while some final assembly might occur in Miami, most production will happen overseas.
Despite the hurdles, Trump Mobile has shifted its focus to selling refurbished iPhones and secondhand Samsung devices instead of the long-awaited T1 phone.
In this ever-changing landscape of consumer electronics, the story of Trump Media’s T1 phone serves as a warning about the risks of preordering, especially when initial promises are not met. The situation continues to unfold, leaving many wondering if they will ever see the product they paid for.
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Trump Mobile, Eric Trump, President Trump, American flag, Robert Kiyosaki
