Company cites US government shutdown and FCC delays as customers await a $499 gold phone tied to Trump branding and anniversary launch timeline delay.
Trump Mobile has pushed back the release of its highly promoted gold-colored T1 smartphone, citing disruptions linked to the latest U.S. government shutdown and delays at federal regulators, according to the company and media reports.
The phone, priced at $499 and marketed as a flagship device for the Trump-branded wireless service, was initially expected to ship months ago. Trump Mobile now expects its first batch to reach customers in mid to late January, a customer service representative told Fortune, though the company has not formally announced a revised release date.
“The T1 has been delayed due to the Government Shutdown,” the representative said, pointing to a pause in activity at the Federal Communications Commission, which oversees key approvals affecting mobile devices and carriers.
Trump Mobile, launched by the Trump Organization in June 2025, has positioned itself as both a telecom service and a political brand extension. The gold phone was announced in August and promoted as a centerpiece product marking the 10th anniversary of President Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign.
Alongside the handset, the company advertises “The 47 Plan,” a $47.45 monthly bundle offering unlimited talk, text, and data. The pricing references Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th president of the United States, a detail highlighted prominently in marketing materials.
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The company has not disclosed how many customers placed the required $100 deposit to reserve the phone. Some early buyers have complained publicly about limited communication, saying they received only an initial order confirmation and no proactive updates on shipping timelines.
NBC News previously reported that its journalists, who placed orders to monitor the rollout, received no further correspondence beyond the first automated email.
Trump Mobile has also adjusted its messaging around manufacturing. Early promotional material described the phone as “Made in the USA,” but the company’s website now refers to the device as “proudly American” and “designed with American values in mind,” without specifying where it is assembled.
The delay has drawn political attention. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic, mocked the announcement in a brief post on X, writing simply, “You don’t say.”
Meanwhile, several technology publications have questioned the company’s business model. Some have noted that Trump Mobile’s website now sells refurbished smartphones from established brands such as Apple and Samsung at higher-than-average prices, fueling speculation about whether the gold T1 phone is fully production-ready.
Trump Mobile has not responded publicly to those claims. For now, customers who placed deposits remain in a holding pattern, waiting to see whether the delayed launch materializes as promised.