$60 Million Collected, Not a Single Phone Shipped
Trump Mobile has taken in roughly $60 million in deposits from nearly 600,000 customers for its T1 smartphone, yet not a single device has been delivered. Announced on June 16, 2025, with a price tag of $499, the T1 was initially expected to begin shipping in August 2025. Deadlines kept shifting—first to November, then December 2025, then the first quarter of 2026. By April 2026, the company had removed the release date from its website entirely. For context, this phone was marketed as a flagship product tied to Donald Trump’s brand, drawing significant attention from his supporters.
Under updated pre-order terms issued on April 6, 2026, the deposit is now described as a “conditional opportunity” rather than a purchase or reservation. This means customers’ money is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to anyone else. Journalist Joseph Cox of 404 Media, who attempted to place a pre-order, described his experience as
“the worst electronics buying experience of my life.”
New Terms: Money Taken, No Guarantees
Customer frustration continues to mount, as none of the more than 590,000 orders have been fulfilled. In November 2025, the “Made in USA” slogan disappeared from the Trump Mobile website, and the main production of the T1 was moved overseas. Only final assembly of ten components is planned for Miami. This has raised alarm among consumers who had hoped for a U.S.-made product.
Additionally, Trump Mobile also trades in refurbished iPhones and Samsung smartphones. Case manufacturer Spigen has threatened legal action over the use of a Samsung photo as the T1 image. These developments further complicate the situation surrounding a phone that was supposed to herald a new era in electronics.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has contacted the Federal Trade Commission about the Trump Mobile case, highlighting the scale of potential consumer issues. Customers are demanding explanations and action from a company that has failed to deliver on promises made during the phone’s launch. Trust in the brand, already under fire from consumers and media, is eroding further.
The ongoing saga around Trump Mobile continues to worry consumers who had high hopes for a product that was supposed to symbolize cutting-edge American-made technology. Repeated shipping delays and changes to pre-order terms are undermining brand credibility, which could have serious repercussions in the market. The FTC’s next steps may shape how this situation unfolds and help protect consumer rights.