You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 2 days ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago
Terms on Trump Mobile site indicate that phones may never come
Trump Mobile now says preorder deposits are only a conditional opportunity, even as roughly 600,000 buyers wait for a phone with no confirmed ship date.
On Wednesday, Trump Mobile CEO Pat O'Brien confirmed to USA TODAY that T1 phones will "start shipping this week," marking a milestone for the device originally scheduled for August 2025 release.
Roughly 600,000 customers paid $100 deposits since June 2025, contributing about $60 million, while Trump Mobile shifted marketing language from "Made in the USA" to "designed with American values."
Updated terms from April 6, 2026, state a $100 deposit "does not guarantee that a Device will be produced or made available for purchase," though Trump Mobile maintains deposits remain fully refundable.
Customers expressed significant frustration on social media, with one viral video demanding, "Where the f--ks my phone?" while O'Brien denied reports that phones would never ship.
The T1 phone received PTCRB certification in March 2026, confirming technical viability, and the company anticipates fulfilling all pre-orders in the "next several weeks.