US-made device planned by end of year hit by recent government shutdown affecting shipments

Trump Mobile, the phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family business, has pushed back plans to deliver a $499 gold-coloured smartphone by the end of the year.

The T1 smartphone, described by the company as “proudly American”, was initially promoted as a US-made rival to devices from Apple and Samsung. Almost all smartphones sold in the US are made overseas, primarily in China and South Korea but also increasingly in India and Vietnam.

It remains unclear who could manufacture the T1 handset, given the low levels of domestic smartphone production in the US.

  • CaptDust@sh.itjust.works
    27·
    4 hours ago

    The company has also recently started selling secondhand smartphones from Apple and Samsung on its website, which it states come “without the inflated price tag”.

    However, a refurbished iPhone 15, which was launched in September 2023, costs $629 (£467) through Trump Mobile, whereas customers can buy a newer model, an iPhone 16 from 2024, directly from Apple for $699.

    The grift is so real

    • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
      16·
      4 hours ago

      I struggle not to blame the victims. It’s extremely well-documented that he’s a con artist and grifter. When doing business with such a person, should we not expect to get scammed?

      • ghostlychonk@lemmy.world
        5·
        2 hours ago

        I’ll blame the victims. They’ve been told repeatedly what kind of man he is and exactly what he thinks of them, but they still keep buying into his bullshit.

        Honestly, willfull ignorance should hurt.