‘Duped’: Ari Melber breaks down the MAGA backlash over Trump Mobile disaster
MS NOW • • business
Key Points:
- Trump Mobile, launched a year ago with a $100 deposit for a gold smartphone, has yet to deliver any devices despite collecting an estimated $59 million in deposits and promising a release in August 2025.
- The company behind Trump Mobile, T1 Mobile LLC, updated its preorder terms to state it does not guarantee device production or availability, making deposits conditional on the company’s discretion to sell the phone.
- Customers and some loyal Trump supporters are expressing anger and feeling "duped" as the phone remains undelivered, with criticism highlighting a shift from the original claim that the phone would be made in America to a vague statement about being "proudly American."
- MS NOW’s Ari Melber framed this situation as part of a broader pattern of Trump exploiting supporters through unfulfilled promises, comparing it to previous controversies like the Trump meme coin and shifting political tactics.