Trump Phones Are Finally Here-And People Aren't Happy
The Trump Phone has arrived, after months of delays, but many customers have been left unhappy over concerns about where it was manufactured, the design and its features.
Putting America First
When Trump Mobile, the wireless phone carrier partly launched by President Donald Trump's sons Don Jr. and Eric, announced plans for the T1 Phone back in June 2025, it was pitched as a new kind of smartphone that seemed in line with the ideals of "America First."
The T1 phone would be gold-colored, emblazoned with the American flag and available for just $499. That made it considerably more affordable than the latest models of Apple iPhone, which retail for anywhere between $800 and $1,200. It was also positioned as an "all-American" alternative to the likes of Apple and Samsung, both of whom manufacture handsets outside of the U.S. The T1 phone would be different, with early messaging indicating it would be “proudly designed and built in the United States for customers who expect the best.”
Hundreds of thousands of people paid a $100 deposit to pre-order one of the Trump phones, which were originally slated for an August/September 2025 release. That’s when the issues began.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump Organization for comment.
‘Shaped By American Innovation’
The subsequent launch of the T1 phone was repeatedly delayed over the months that followed, with the Trump administration citing the 43-day shutdown of the federal government as a key factor. The delay was not the only cause for concern. Once billed as being "Made in America," the Trump Phone website now described the phone as being "shaped by American innovation," as first reported by The Verge.
Though Eric Trump, vice president of the Trump Organization, said in a recent interview that the plan is for “eventually all the phones will be built in the United States,” it’s a significant departure from the original “American made” plans.
Mediaite also reported on the discovery of several significant changes to the preorder terms. In one section, titled "No Guarantee of Release, Delivery or Timing," the website said that "estimated ship dates, launch timelines, or anticipated production schedule are non-binding estimates only."
The terms also included the warning, "Trump Mobile does not guarantee that: the Device will be commercially released; regulatory approvals (including FCC authorization) will be obtained; carrier certification will be secured; production will commence or continue; or delivery will occur within any specific timeframe."
‘The T1 Phone Has Arrived’
Earlier this month, Trump Mobile finally announced it would begin shipping the T1 phones.
"The T1 Phone has arrived!!" a message posted to Trump Mobile's Instagram, Facebook and X accounts said. "Those who pre-ordered the T1 Phone will be receiving an update email. Phones start shipping this week!!!"
Even then, the announcement was not without a minor hiccup. The video posted to X ended up being flagged as AI with a community note stating that the U.S. flag that appears in the video “has 11 then nine stripes,” while the “back texture” of the device shown was “inconsistent.”
Nevertheless, after a nine-month delay, anticipation of what to expect was high among the first wave of pre-sale customers receiving the T1 Phone. However, if the initial responses are anything to go by, the Trump phone has not been well received.
The American Flag
One of the most glaring issues highlighted on X was the fact the American flag on the new Trump mobile phone has 11 stripes. The American flag is supposed to feature 13 stripes, each representing the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776.
This undermines the Trump Phone’s core branding as a patriotic “America-first” product.
Hardware Concerns
It has also been reported that the Trump Phone is likely a rebranded pre-existing Android device, rather than a new model of smartphone, with the only unique touch being the gold casing, and Trump flag branding.
Android Authority noted the T1 phone's strong resemblance to the HTC U24 Pro, while Times Now compared it to the Wingtech / REVVL 7 Pro 5G. The claims have sparked concern the Trump Phone may simply be an off-the-shelf phone with a new shell.
Tech review website Notebook Check also noted that the T1 Phone features a Snapdragon 7 chip and standard cameras, both considered to be mid-range hardware options not necessarily in-line with the previously reported $499 price tag.
If correct, the use of this hardware not only undermines the idea of the T1 Phone as a premium product, but also indicates it was made in China or Taiwan, where the aforementioned Wingtech and HTC handsets were manufactured.
Software Concerns
The T1 phone also comes with Truth Social, the alt-tech social media platform founded and owned by Trump, preinstalled. This isn't inherently harmful and it's normal for phones to come with some apps preinstalled. Many Trump supporters buying the phone would likely welcome the news.
However, it does make the phone feel politically branded, and raises questions about privacy and data concerns. It also suggests the phone may be more about identity and messaging rather than technology.
Social Media Reactions
Writer, entrepreneur and political commentator Edward Krassenstein, who is a critic of the Trump administration, also posted to X about the T1 Phone: "This is just sad. The Trump T1 phone is beginning to ship this week, and get this! It’s produced in China, by a Chinese company. It’s selling for $499 yet it’s merely an outdated T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G smartphone put into a gold shell. You can buy the T-Mobile phone on eBay or at Walmart for a little over $100. Trump scammed his base yet again!"
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 8:09 AM.