Thomas Unise
Trump Mobile, a venture announced by Donald Trump Jr. in June 2025, has failed to deliver on key promises including its planned smartphone launch and domestic manufacturing claims.
Trump Mobile’s Unfulfilled Promises
When Donald Trump Jr. announced Trump Mobile in June 2025, the company made several bold claims: a $47.45 monthly mobile service, a US-manufactured gold-colored smartphone priced at $499, and a launch date within the year. Fast forward to the end of 2025, and the company has missed its deadlines and backtracked on major promises.
According to the Financial Times, Trump Mobile delayed the launch of its T1 smartphone, conveniently blaming the government shutdown without explaining how a private business would be affected by this. More significantly, the company has quietly abandoned its pledge that the phone would be manufactured entirely in the United States.
Manufacturing Reality Check
The company’s website now describes the T1 as having an “American-proud” design—vague terminology that suggests the device will likely be manufactured overseas. This retreat from domestic production highlights a reality that industry experts have long emphasized: producing smartphones in the US is prohibitively expensive.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives previously stated that “The concept of making iPhones in the US is a nonstarter,” estimating that US manufacturing could triple the price of devices. Ironically, President Trump’s own tariffs and trade policies have made domestic electronics manufacturing even more costly.
Skepticism From Industry Experts
International Data Corp. analyst Francisco Jeronimo expressed ongoing skepticism about the T1 smartphone. Currently, Trump Mobile has pivoted to selling used iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices for up to $630, leading Jeronimo to suggest they may have “changed their strategy and figured out they are better off just selling refurbished phones.”
Despite the delays and changes, Trump Mobile continues to collect $100 deposits from customers for the unreleased T1 device.
Consumer Considerations
For potential customers, the situation raises serious concerns. The $499 price point already offers many established smartphone options without the uncertainty surrounding Trump Mobile’s promises. Additionally, the company’s connection to Donald Trump raises eyebrows given his history of failed business ventures—over a dozen businesses associated with Trump have failed over the decades.
Whether the T1 is vaporware or simply a poorly executed business plan remains to be seen, but the company’s track record since its founding does not inspire confidence.
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