ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Donald Trump u-turns on bold claim days after launch of $499 golden mobile phone

Home> News> Technology

Published 16:18 27 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Donald Trump u-turns on bold claim days after launch of $499 golden mobile phone

Surprise, surprise

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Earlier this month it was revealed The Trump Organisation expanded on their vision to 'Make America Great Again' by launching a gold phone.

Spearheaded by the president's eldest sons - Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump - the family confirmed the creation of 'all-American' phone carrier 'Trump Mobile', alongside a golden handset which allows Americans to make phone calls and browse TikTok patriotically. All for a measly $499 (£368).

The price of the Trump T1 mobile may seem like an absolute bargain, if that's your sort of thing, considering that a new iPhone will set you back around £1,099.

But what was really impressive was the promise that all Trump mobiles would be made in the US, a move which fits with the US leader's 'America first' schtick.

Advert

Somehow I don't think it'll look like this (Trump Mobile)
Somehow I don't think it'll look like this (Trump Mobile)

However it would appear this bold claim may have been made a little prematurely.

Trump organisation makes embarrassing U-turn days after launch

Following the confirmation that Trump T1 handsets would be available to the public from August, tech experts were quick to point out how the company's made in America claim wasn't ambitious, but downright impossible.

"They don't even have a working prototype. It's extremely unlikely," Prof Tinglong Dai, told the BBC when asked about the likelihood of this venture coming to fruition, while analyst Leo Gebbie told the broadcaster it would only be possible if US companies were importing the parts from abroad and then assembling the phones domestically.

It would appear this reality has since been acknowledged by the Trump Organisation, as 'Made in the USA' has since been quietly replaced by 'American-proud design' and 'brought to life right here in the USA.'

Or this... (X/@TrumpMobile)
Or this... (X/@TrumpMobile)

Which certainly seems like a pretty clever way to dodge questions about exactly where the components for the phones were made and assembled.

Meanwhile, Erik Trump also appeared to dial down on the claims in a recent podcast episode, with the 41-year-old saying: "Eventually all the phones can be built in the USA."

Despite the backlash and the change in website wording, the Trump Organisation maintains claims that handsets will be built in the US, with a spokesperson telling Ars Technica: "The T1 phones are proudly being made in America. Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate. We're excited to launch the phones later this year."

When will Trump Mobile and the 'Trump phone' be available?

For anyone dying to join the great American mobile network, you'll be able to sign up for the network's '47 Plan' costing $47.45 (£34.61) on the Trump Mobile website if your phone is eligible.

Trump supporters when they find out the phone won't be exclusively made and manufactured in America (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump supporters when they find out the phone won't be exclusively made and manufactured in America (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the handset isn't scheduled to launch until August, with a lack of clear details about the phone meaning it may be a surprise what anyone who pre-orders the phone actually ends up with.

Ars Technica has noted that phone specs listed for the mobile have been changed since the original launch, while 'official' images consist only of the gold AI mock-up and what appears to be an iPhone with an American flag stamped on.

Featured Image Credit: (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Topics: Donald Trump, Technology, US News, Phones

Brenna Cooper
Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper is a journalist at LADbible. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History, followed by an NCTJ accredited masters in Journalism. She began her career as a freelance writer for Digital Spy, where she wrote about all things TV, film and showbiz. Her favourite topics to cover are music, travel and any bizarre pop culture.

X

@_brencoco

Recommended reads

Pet 'lobster' dies after activist steals it from restaurant tank and throws it into seaBNPSParenting influencer responds after accidentally running her own son over with car(Instagram/Hillside_farmhouse)Signs emerge warning Sainsbury's shoppers they will be prosecuted for swapping eggsGetty/Bloomberg'Zebra striping' is new drinking method people are using to completely change their nights outGetty Stock Image

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • BNPS
    an hour ago

    Pet 'lobster' dies after activist steals it from restaurant tank and throws it into sea

    The animal was killed almost instantly

    News
  • (Instagram/Hillside_farmhouse)
    3 hours ago

    Parenting influencer responds after accidentally running her own son over with car

    Influencer Kelly Hopton-Jones said the incident was 'the worst day of our lives'

    News
  • (Getty Stock Images)
    6 hours ago

    GP warns hay fever medication taken by one in four Brits can be linked to weight gain

    Antihistamines can trigger weight gain due to this side effect, says one doctor

    News
  • Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Trump's seven 'lies' called out by Iran as Strait of Hormuz finally re-opens

    Trump and Iran appear to be on different pages

    News
  • Donald Trump's granddaughter accused of breaking golden rule during Masters attendance
  • Donald Trump speaks out on mysterious disappearances and deaths of 10 top scientists with sensitive information
  • Democrats file bill to push use of 25th Amendment to remove Donald Trump
  • Donald Trump has bizarre defence for posting now-deleted 'blasphemous' image online