Trump phone still not delivered a year after announcement
Promises of a US-made gold smartphone have not materialized – the device has been repeatedly delayed and its true origin remains unclear.
A year has passed since the Trump family business announced the T1 Phone 8002 (gold version), but the device has yet to reach customers. Announced on June 16, 2025, it was marketed as “designed and built in the United States,” but that claim was walked back within two weeks – now the company only mentions assembly in Miami.
The phone has changed specifications multiple times. The initial spec sheet contained errors, such as “5,000mAh long life camera.” Later, the display shrunk from 6.78 inches to 6.25 inches, suggesting a fundamentally different device.
After months of investigation, The Verge discovered that the T1 Phone is nearly identical to the 2024 HTC U24 Pro. Both devices share almost the same specs, including a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD slot. HTC says it does not design phones for third parties, but the question of who actually manufactures the device remains open.
Trump Mobile has repeatedly delayed shipments. Originally promised for August or September 2025, then “later this year,” then March 2026. In May, the company said the phone was ready to ship, but The Verge’s ordered units have still not arrived. Blamed factors include the government shutdown, FCC certification delays, and the 2026 Lunar New Year.
Although social media claimed 600,000 preorders, leaked customer data shows only 27,224 possible orders. Each buyer paid a $100 deposit, totaling about $2.7 million. Company executives said the phone itself is not the profit center – the business makes money from the $47.45 monthly plan.
Trump Mobile is closely linked to Liberty Mobile, another MVNO running on T-Mobile’s network. Liberty Mobile is registered in every state and handles regulatory fees, while Trump Mobile appears to do limited operations.
It remains unclear where the phone is built before assembly in Miami. The company refuses to disclose partners, only saying it is a “favored” nation, aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese components. However, the HTC U24 Pro is made in China, suggesting the T1 may have the same origin.
