The Mystery of the Missing Gold Phone

A golden smartphone, promised by a business linked to former President Donald Trump, remains nowhere to be seen. The device, dubbed the T1, was expected to launch last year. It was touted as a shiny, gold-colored phone priced at $500, a bargain compared to the latest iPhones ranging from $800 to $1,200.

A Shifting Narrative

Initially, Trump Mobile claimed the T1 would be "proudly designed and built in the United States." However, this claim quickly evolved. The company began using vague language, describing the phone as having an "American-proud" design without further explanation.

Experts believe the shift in language occurred because building a smartphone in the U.S. is challenging. The supply chain and logistics required to produce a smartphone for less than $1,000 are complex. This is why Apple has not moved its iPhone manufacturing from China and India, despite pressure from President Trump.

Delayed Release

The release date of the T1 has been a moving target. Initially, it was supposed to be available by August or September 2023. Later, the company became more vague, stating it would be released by the end of 2025. As of now, the website still lists the release date as "later this year."

The company has not responded to questions about the delays. However, a customer representative reportedly attributed the delay to the 43-day government shutdown last year. Whether this is the real reason or not, the ongoing absence of the T1 from the smartphone market is not surprising to industry analysts.

Skepticism from Experts

"We have always been quite skeptical about this phone. They are probably finding that it is harder to build a phone than they thought it would be. Let's see if this thing comes to life or not."

• Francisco Jeronimo, Analyst at International Data Corp.

Current Offerings

While the T1 remains in limbo, Trump Mobile has been selling its wireless service for $47.45 per month. This price is tied to Donald Trump's titles as the 47th and 45th President. For customers looking for a smartphone that they can use sooner rather than later, Trump Mobile is also selling refurbished versions of older iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy models at prices ranging from $370 to $630.

"Maybe they changed their strategy and figured out they are better off just selling refurbished phones."

• Francisco Jeronimo