In June 2025, Trump Mobile, a company of the Trump Organization, announced the release of the T1 smartphone as a “Made in the USA” device. The T1 gained popularity among President Trump supporters, but no one was able to actually get one. As the one-year anniversary of the announcement approaches, there are no signs of its arrival. The T1 was promoted as a “Made in the USA” smartphone, ostensibly in response to Apple and other companies manufacturing the iPhone and other smartphones overseas.
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However, shortly after its unveiling, investigations suggested that it was likely a rebadged budget Android phone made in China. This revelation didn’t stop pre-orders from surging, even after Trump Mobile quietly withdrew its “Made in America” claim. After failing to ship in late summer 2025, the release date was repeatedly pushed back to later in the year and then to early 2026.
An update to Trump Mobile’s website in April 2026 removed the release date entirely, replacing it with a link to “join the waitlist.” In January 2026, a call center representative informed reporters that the T1 was in the “final stages of certification and field testing.” There was an expected shipping date of the first quarter of 2026, which has now passed.
At one point, a spokesman attributed the delay to a 43-day federal government shutdown, though critics argued that this should not affect a private material producer.
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Those who have put down a down payment on the T1 are still waiting, but there’s a chance they may never receive the smartphone. The website’s April update included revised terms of service regarding the down payment plan, stating that the down payment does not guarantee a working device. Instead, it offers “only a conditional opportunity” if Trump Mobile decides to sell the T1.
The deposit is not a binding sales contract, does not lock in the price, and specifications are subject to change before launch. It is also not guaranteed to work on any phone network. At best, depositors have paid $100 that could be credited toward the T1 if it ever launches. If Trump Mobile cancels the T1 altogether, it will refund the original deposit amount but will not be responsible for delays caused by issues such as “parts shortages or regulatory delays.”
Consumers can also request a cancellation before the sale is complete. The lack of progress has led to complaints from lawmakers, including a request from Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democratic lawmakers to the Federal Trade Commission in January about alleged “bait and switch tactics” and false advertising regarding the “Made in the USA” claim.
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As of May 2026, the FTC has not confirmed whether an investigation is underway or will be launched. Currently, 590,000 consumers have paid for a smartphone that is not “Made in the USA” and may never be produced. At best, they may receive a smartphone with unimpressive specifications backed by branding; at worst, they may lose their down payments and only get an expensive lesson.
