Trump Family Business Faces Delays in Launching Gold-Coloured T1 Smartphone
The Trump Organization’s launch of the T1 smartphone, a gold-coloured device marketed as a proudly American and US-made rival to Apple and Samsung, has been delayed. Shipments were disrupted due to a government shutdown, leading to a strong possibility that the handset would not be delivered within the month, according to the Financial Times.
The T1 device, priced at $499, requires customers to pay $100 to order, with the service plan advertised at $47.45 per month. In June, the Trump Organization licensed its name to launch Trump Mobile, a mobile service and the T1 phone, operated by President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump. Licensing deals tied to Trump Mobile generated more than $8 million for the president in 2024.
The manufacturer of the T1 handset remains unclear, given the limited domestic smartphone production in the US. This venture is part of a broader Trump brand product line that includes watches, footwear, and Bibles, and expands into digital media and telecommunications.
The move into the mobile phone sector raises questions about conflicts of interest since the president’s family business operates in an industry subject to federal regulation while Trump holds executive power.
