Trump Mobile T1 price jumps to $999, loses “Made in USA” label
By Arthur Berg
The ambitious Trump Mobile project, which kicked off with bold claims of delivering the “first truly American smartphone,” has run into the harsh realities of global supply chains and economic trade-offs. According to an investigation by The Verge, the final T1 model will cost up to $999-double its original $499 price tag-and production has shifted from the US to Asia, with only final assembly and quality checks taking place in Miami.
Originally founded by three former Trump administration officials, the company marketed the T1 as a device “proudly designed and manufactured in the United States.” But in an interview with The Verge, project leads Don Hendrickson and Eric Thomas admitted that producing the phone entirely in the US was economically unfeasible. The Trump Mobile website now replaces the claim with a vaguer promise of “American hands behind every device,” referring only to the final assembly and inspection stages carried out in Florida.
The smartphone’s design has also evolved. Latest renders reveal a triple camera setup arranged in a staggered vertical line, moving away from the iPhone-style vertical block seen in earlier versions. Technical specs remain undisclosed, although the company previously hinted at MediaTek chipsets and emphasized “security and privacy” with pre-installed apps catering to a conservative user base.
Price has become the most painful compromise. Early backers who put down a $100 deposit will get the device at an introductory price of $499. New customers, however, will face a $699 to $999 price range depending on configuration. This puts the T1 squarely in flagship territory alongside Samsung and Apple, erasing what was supposed to be its key competitive advantage. No official release date has been set-the website only states “later this year,” although initial plans aimed for a launch ahead of the 2024 elections.
