Trump Mobile T1 Phone Project Leaves Buyers Without Devices or Refunds

Nearly 600,000 supporters of former President Donald Trump invested in the Trump Mobile T1 phone, a gold Android handset marketed as ‘Made in the USA’ and sold with a deposit of $100. Announced in June 2025 by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the phone was intended as a patriotic alternative to Apple and Samsung devices. Despite promises of delivery starting in late summer 2025, the launch repeatedly slipped through November 2025, December 2025, and into the first quarter of 2026, with customers receiving inconsistent information from support representatives. In April 2026, Trump Mobile updated its terms of service, clarifying that deposits did not guarantee a purchase, and the company retained full discretion over whether the phones would ever be produced. Manufacturing claims were quietly revised; the bulk of production would occur overseas, with only minor assembly in the U.S. Investigative journalists and consumers reported chaotic pre-order processes, unauthorized charges, and non-delivery. Lawmakers have called for FTC investigations into potential false advertising and ‘bait-and-switch’ tactics. As of May 2026, the company has not delivered any phones nor issued refunds, leaving customers collectively out approximately $59 million. This situation has generated widespread criticism and controversy, highlighting both consumer risk and questions of accountability.