Trump family business delays launch of $499 gold smartphone

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Wed 31 Dec 2025 07.59 EST
First published on Wed 31 Dec 2025 04.10 EST


Trump Mobile, the phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family business, has pushed back plans to deliver a $499 (£371) gold-coloured smartphone by the end of the year. The Trump Organization licensed its name to launch a mobile service and the device in June, in the latest monetisation of his presidency by a family business empire now run by Trump’s sons.

In the latest setback for the project, Trump Mobile said there was a “strong possibility” the handset would not be delivered this month, the Financial Times reported. The company’s customer service team told the FT that the recent government shutdown had disrupted shipments.

The T1 smartphone, described by the company as “proudly American”, was initially promoted as a US-made rival to devices from Apple and Samsung. Almost all smartphones sold in the US are made overseas, primarily in China and South Korea but also increasingly in India and Vietnam.

Etched with an American flag, the T1 was initially promised in August and the website still states it will be released “later this year”. Customers are required to pay a $100 payment to pre-order the device. The T1 launch came shortly after Trump criticised Apple over its plans to move the production of iPhones destined for the US market from China to India.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/31/trump-family-business-delays-launch-of-gold-smartphone

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Like everything else - vaporware.

REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143571036
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143578088

[ClaudetteCC]

1. Why would a 'government shutdown' delay the 'shipments' of a private manufacturer?

[PJMcK]

2. They lie about everything

Did they ever deliver the gold sneakers?

[underpants]

4. This article is a restarting the clock. These were late two months ago

So they’re late for being late.

[mpcamb]

12. And the phone will be as useful as your trump University degree.

[LudwigPastorius]

20. ...and it will be made in China.

[underpants]

3. As usual "It's not my fault" Government shutdown🙄

More like chaos from tariffs and shipping dealing with customs with neither knowing what to do.

We ran into this a couple months ago with an order at work.

[Trueblue Texan]

5. More like all the other TSF scams...

Let me have your money so I can guarantee not to deliver what you think you paid for.

[kerouac2]

6. Wanna bet that ...

As soon as the gold garbage is finally ready, all govt employees will be provided one at taxpayer expense? I can totally see that happen...

[Ray Bruns]

7. The prototype was ready months ago.

[kacekwl]

8. It will be ready

in two weeks.

[moniss]

9. Excellent reference and very subtle. nt

[rurallib]

10. Boy that would easily identify the user as a Trumper

almost as if a spotlight were shining on them.

[underpants]

14. Or a tag & release program

[BaronChocula]

11. The port where the candy comes out doesn't stay shut

Back to the drawing board

[BumRushDaShow]

13. They were supposed to have one of these in one of the boxes

But then found out that it was missing before they pulled the shipments.

[BaronChocula]

15. Present this ticket

to see Kid Rock at the Trump Kennedy Center.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. With special guest

Ted Nugent!!!111!!1!!

[Rebl2]

17. They never

Intended to send those out to the idiots that bought them. Eventually they will probably say your money will be refunded. Wouldn’t hold my breath or if your maga, please do so.

[mitch96]

18. Yup, two faux gold plated cans and a gold string....Step right up folks!!!! Get'em while their hot!!!nt

[Aussie105]

19. An undeliverable pipe dream.

Always was.

A $100 pre-order? Suckers!