At a Glance
- Democratic lawmakers want the FTC to investigate Trump Mobile’s unshipped “T1” phone and $100 deposits
- The company quietly dropped “Made in USA” claims after June launch but still tells callers the phone is U.S.-built
- Ship dates have slipped from August to Q1 2026 with no refunds offered
- Why it matters: Consumers may have paid for phones that never arrive while advertising claims shift
Democratic members of Congress have asked the Federal Trade Commission to open a formal investigation into Trump Mobile, the phone venture launched by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, after customers paid $100 deposits for a device that has yet to ship and whose “Made in USA” marketing has quietly disappeared.
Lawmakers Press FTC on Missing Phones and Deposits
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and 10 House and Senate Democrats sent a letter Wednesday night urging regulators to examine whether the company violated consumer-protection laws by collecting deposits for phones originally promised in August and now delayed until Q1 2026.
The letter, first seen by News Of Los Angeles, asks the FTC to determine whether Trump Mobile engaged in “false advertising” when it promoted the T1 phone as American-made and whether customers who paid deposits have been cheated.
Signers include:
- Sens. Chris Van Hollen (Md.)
- Adam Schiff (Calif.)
- Ed Markey (Mass.)
- Reps. Robert Garcia (Calif.)
- Doris Matsui (Calif.)
- Maxwell Frost (Fla.)
- Summer Lee (Pa.)
- Greg Cesar (Texas)
- Jan Schakowsky (Ill.)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.)
The lawmakers also want to know if the agency has spoken with President Trump or any related businesses about Trump Mobile.
> “The FTC’s response to any violations of consumer protection law by Trump Mobile will serve as a critical test of the FTC’s independence and commitment to its mission of protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices,” the letter states.
“Made in USA” Claim Vanishes from Website
At the June launch inside Trump Tower, the Trump brothers touted the gold T1 phone-complete with an American-flag emblem on the back-as a premium device built domestically. Within weeks, however, the company’s website removed every reference to “Made in USA,” replacing the phrase with “American-proud design.”
Despite the website edits, a Trump Mobile call operator told Marcus L. Bennett this week that the phone will still be manufactured in the United States, creating conflicting messages for would-be buyers.
Repeated Shipping Delays and No Refunds
Marcus L. Bennett paid a $100 deposit in August to monitor the phone’s release. Since then, promised delivery dates have slipped multiple times:
| Original Promise | Revised Promise | Actual Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | November 13, 2024 | Missed date |
| November excuse | December 2024 | Still pending |
| Latest operator quote | Q1 2026 | No firm date |
A customer-service representative cited the government shutdown as a reason for the November delay, without elaborating. When asked about refunds, operators have offered no timeline or policy details.
Political Fallout and State Scrutiny
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office signaled its own scrutiny, posting on social media that the venture looks “like FRAUD!” The rhetorical flare adds pressure on both federal and state enforcers to act.
Neither Trump Mobile, the Trump Organization, nor the FTC responded to requests for comment on the lawmakers’ letter, the status of the phone, or whether manufacturing will actually occur in the U.S.
Key Takeaways
- $100 deposits have been collected for months with no shipment in sight
- “Made in USA” advertising was quietly retracted, yet operators still claim domestic production
- The FTC faces a bipartisan spotlight to enforce consumer laws against a high-profile political brand
Customers waiting for the T1 phone remain in limbo while regulators decide whether to act.
