The Trump Organization’s latest venture into tech (a gold-covered Android device called the T1 Phone) is already off to a rocky start, leaving at least one early buyer bewildered by the pre-order experience.
Promoted as a patriotic alternative to the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, the T1 Phone is paired with a $47.45-per-month Trump Mobile service plan and is marketed as being “for Americans, by Americans.”
However, questions remain about how much of the device is actually made in the U.S., and concerns over the product’s launch are only growing.
Journalist Joseph Cox from 404 Media attempted to pre-order the T1 Phone shortly after its announcement, only to find himself navigating a glitch-filled process that raised doubts about the phone’s availability and the site's reliability.
“I tried to pre-order the phone and pay the $100 downpayment,” Cox wrote in his opinion piece, “but the website failed, went to an error page, and then charged my credit card the wrong amount of $64.70.”
Despite being undercharged, Cox received a vague confirmation email from TrumpMobile.com stating he would receive an update when the phone shipped, despite never providing a shipping address or paying the full $499 price.
His attempts to access his Trump Mobile account or reset his password also ended in error messages, leaving him locked out entirely. “It is the worst experience I’ve ever faced buying a consumer electronic product,” he wrote, “and I have no idea whether or how I’ll receive the phone.”
Cox’s chaotic experience has sparked widespread criticism online. Many commenters expressed skepticism, with some lambasting the malfunction-ridden launch.
One Reddit user commented sarcastically: “What’s up? Got scammed by the president?” while another advised: “If you’re going to buy this, at least use a credit card for fraud protection.”
In addition to frustrations over functionality, serious concerns have emerged over the phone’s privacy and data security. Some critics fear that user data could be vulnerable or even subject to government surveillance.
Donald Trump Jr. has pushed back against those concerns, arguing that the phone’s “American-made” status reduces the risk of foreign spyware being embedded in the hardware. But that reassurance has done little to quell broader fears, especially among privacy-conscious consumers, Reuters details.
Whether or not the T1 Phone eventually lives up to its promises remains to be seen. For now, however, the buying experience is raising more questions than confidence, leaving many to wonder whether this device is truly ready for the market.