We'll Have to Wait a Bit Longer for Trump's $499 Gold Phone

Government shutdown blamed for disrupting shipments of 'proudly American' T1 handset
Posted Dec 31, 2025 7:26 AM CST
Trump Org Delays $499 Gold Phone Amid Shipping Issues
Screenshot of the T1.   (Trump Mobile)

The latest Trump-branded product is running late. Trump Mobile, a phone venture tied to the Trump Organization and run by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has delayed delivery of its $499 gold-colored "T1" smartphone, which had been touted for arrival by the end of 2025, reports the Guardian. Customer service reps told the Financial Times that there's a "strong possibility" buyers won't get the device this month, citing shipping snags linked to the recent government shutdown.

The T1 is marketed as a "proudly American" alternative to Apple and Samsung, complete with an etched US flag. A $100 upfront payment is required to reserve one. But with almost all smartphones for the US market currently produced abroad—and limited domestic manufacturing capacity—it remains unclear who's actually building the device. The phone was first promised for August, and Trump Mobile's website still lists a launch date of "later this year."

Beyond the handset, Trump Mobile is selling a $47.45-per-month service plan, a price and branding nod to Trump's status as the 47th (and 45th) US president. The mobile push joins a roster of Trump-themed products, including watches, shoes, and Bibles. Licensing deals across digital media and telecoms produced more than $8 million for Trump in 2024, per financial filings.

As for the phone, the Independent points out one curiosity: The Trump Mobile site is also hawking refurbished Apple and Samsung phones, with no discernible Trump branding, and with prices that "are considerably higher than those charged elsewhere."

Read These Next
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X