The Trump phone will start shipping following months of delays
CNN • • business
Key Points:
- Nearly a year after taking $100 deposits, Trump Mobile announced that the $499 Trump Mobile T1 phone will begin shipping this week, despite earlier delays and changes to pre-order terms indicating no guarantee of production.
- The phone, resembling a cheaper Chinese model with a smaller screen and less storage than initially promised, retains the Trump brand and gold color, but its claim of being "Made in USA" was replaced with "designed with American values in mind."
- Trump Mobile cited the complexity of tech production and quality testing as reasons for delays, with CEO Pat O’Brien stating high demand is being met as quickly as possible, while experts note the typical 18-month timeline for Android device launches.
- The phone's launch has raised ethical concerns about President Trump profiting from his name while in office, with critics like Senator Elizabeth Warren labeling the delay as a potential scam.
- The device's $47.45 monthly plan price references Trump's terms as the 45th and 47th president, adding a political branding element to the product.