Trump phone drops ‘made-in-America’ promise

The website for President Donald Trump’s new smartphone no longer promises that the device will be made in America. However, a spokesperson said the phone is being manufactured in the United States — a claim that exceeds the business venture’s initial promises. — Image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Summary

Manufacturing claims

The Trump Organization initially announced that the T1 Phone under Trump Mobile would eventually be built in the United States. However, the Trump Mobile website has removed statements promising the phone is "made in America."

Website messaging changes

The Trump Mobile website now contains statements such as "designed with American values in mind," and that "American hands are behind every device." These changes mark a shift from explicit manufacturing claims to broader, less-specific pro-American language.

Product specification revisions

The phone's listed specifications have changed since the initial announcement. The website previously stated that the device had a 6.78-inch screen and 12GB of RAM; it now lists a 6.25-inch screen, and no longer mentions RAM.

Full story

Is it, or isn’t it? The website for President Donald Trump’s new smartphone no longer promises that the device will be made in America. However, a spokesperson said the phone is being manufactured in the United States — a claim that exceeds the business venture’s initial promises.

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The Trump Organization, which sells Trump-branded products, announced the T1 Phone on June 16 under the banner of Trump Mobile. During an event at Trump Tower in New York City, Eric Trump said the phone would “eventually” be built domestically.

Experts expressed skepticism, noting the global reliance on countries such as China for the large-scale manufacturing of cellular devices.

American-proud, or American-made?

As of Thursday, June 26, Trump Mobile’s vow to produce a made-in-America phone no longer appears on its website. The homepage banner declaring “MADE IN AMERICA” is also no longer present. The change was first reported by The Verge, which said the website now features “vague, pro-American gestures.”

The Trump Mobile website said the phone is “designed with American values in mind” and that “American hands are behind every device.” The phrase “American-Proud Design” is also listed as one of the device’s key features.

In a statement to USA Today, Chris Walker, a Trump Mobile spokesperson, dismissed concerns over the website changes.

“T1 phones are proudly being made in America,” Walker said. “Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate.”

Walker did not explain the altered wording on the website.

New specifications

The website also reflects changes in the phone’s specifications. It previously said the device’s screen was 6.78 inches, but now lists the screen at 6.25 inches. A section that once said the phone would have 12GB of RAM now doesn’t mention RAM at all.

Questions had previously been raised about device specifications after the phone’s battery, according to CNET, was described as having a “5,000mAh long life camera” on launch day.

The phone’s pre-order process also raised concerns after 404 Media tried to make the required $100 down payment but was charged $64.70 instead. Trump Mobile, according to 404 Media, took the payment but did not request a shipping address.

Straight Arrow News encountered the same issues when attempting to pre-order the T1, which resulted in a charge of $65.38 and no request for a shipping address.

Mikael Thalen (Tech Reporter)

Mikael Thalen is a tech reporter for Straight Arrow News, where he covers cybersecurity, surveillance, hacking and digital privacy.

Cassandra Buchman (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Business, cellphones, Donald Trump, Tech, Trump Organization

Why this story matters

Recent changes in Trump Mobile's claims about the T1 phone's manufacturing and product details highlight issues of transparency, accuracy and consumer trust in product marketing.

Changes spark questions

Changes to Trump Mobile's website regarding the T1 phone's manufacturing origin raise questions about the accuracy of its "Made in America" marketing and what qualifies as domestic manufacturing.

Concerns over transparency

Modifications of the phone's advertised specifications, such as screen size and RAM and a lack of explanation prompt scrutiny over the accuracy and reliability of information provided to consumers.

Consumer trust issues

Pre-order payment inconsistencies and the absence of a shipping address request, as reported by media outlets, suggest potential problems in customer experience and raise concerns about business practices.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 37 media outlets

Behind the numbers

According to multiple sources, the Trump T1 phone is priced at $499, with an initial preorder deposit of $100. Analysts noted that the original model it allegedly resembles—a Wingtech REVVL 7 Pro 5G—sells for $169 to $250. Experts argue that manufacturing a smartphone entirely in the U.S. would result in far higher retail costs, often above $1,999.

Common ground

Nearly all articles agree that the Trump Organization initially promoted the T1 phone as being “Made in the USA” but later revised its messaging to more ambiguous phrases. Reports also widely cite expert skepticism about the feasibility of producing an advanced smartphone entirely in the United States at the announced price point.

History lesson

Previous U.S. attempts to manufacture advanced consumer electronics domestically have struggled with issues of scale and cost, as seen with earlier efforts by Apple and other brands. Purism, one of the few companies producing partially U.S.-made phones, faces high costs and limited market share, suggesting historical precedent for the doubts cast on the T1’s initial claims.

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Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame Trump Mobile’s removal of the “Made in the USA” tag as a deliberate deception, employing charged terms like “quietly removed” and “ditches” to underscore perceived hypocrisy and diminish the product’s credibility.
Media outlets in the center adopt a more measured tone, describing the claim as an aspirational but unmet goal and focusing on business realities such as licensing arrangements and consumer behavior, using terms like “false promise” and “unspecific platitudes” without overt partisanship.
Not enough unique coverage from media outlets on the right to provide a bias comparison.

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Media landscape

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71 total sources

Key points from the Left

Trump Mobile has removed claims of its T1 smartphone being "Made in the USA" from its website after facing criticism for sourcing parts from China.
The T1 phone's specifications for screen size and RAM have also been altered, with the shipping date pushed to "later this year."
A spokesperson for Trump Mobile stated, "The T1 phones are proudly being made in America," but production details remain vague.

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Key points from the Center

The Trump Organization launched Trump Mobile and announced the T1 Phone 8002 with a $499 price tag, originally claiming it was made in America as of June 2025.
This claim was quickly revised after experts noted the T1 Phone likely resembled the China-made REVVL 7 Pro 5G, raising doubts about the phone's domestic manufacturing.
Trump Mobile removed references to "made in America" from its website and changed screen size specs from 6.78 to 6.25 inches amid vague marketing and unclear shipping timelines.

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