The launch of the much-hyped gold-coloured T1 smartphone from Trump Mobile has hit another roadblock. The company, backed by the Trump Organization, has confirmed a delay in delivering the device, pushing the new shipping window to January 2026. It has squarely blamed the recent record 43-day partial shutdown of the US government for the setback.
From Year-End Promise to January 2026: The New Timeline
Initially, customers who pre-ordered the $499 Android device were promised delivery by the end of 2025. However, according to a report by the Financial Times, the company now indicates a "strong possibility" the phones will not ship in December. Fortune magazine reports that the new expected delivery date is mid-January 2026.
Customer service representatives for Trump Mobile have been informing customers about the revised schedule. "We've been told mid to late January [delivery date]," one representative was quoted as saying. The company has not yet released an official public statement regarding this new timeline.
Government Shutdown Halts Key Certification Process
The primary reason cited for this delay is the lengthy US government shutdown, which President Donald Trump himself termed a "short-term disaster with Democrats." A customer service representative explained that "the T1 has been delayed due to the government shutdown. They had to pause everything on the FCC side of things."
This refers to the essential certification process with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a mandatory step for any wireless device sold in the United States. The shutdown halted this critical logistical and regulatory approval, effectively freezing the phone's path to market.
A Rocky Launch for the "America First" Smartphone
The T1 smartphone was unveiled with considerable fanfare in June 2025. It was marketed as a patriotic alternative to giants like Apple and Samsung, aligned with former President Trump's advocacy for domestic manufacturing and threats of tariffs on foreign rivals. The phone was touted as being "built in the United States."
However, its journey has been marked by missed deadlines:
- June 2025: Trump Mobile unveiled the T1; pre-orders opened.
- August 2025: Initial projected release date (Missed).
- October 2025: Second projected release date (Missed).
- December 2025: Year-end "final" commitment (Missed due to shutdown).
- January 2026: New expected shipping window.
Adding to the challenges, industry analysts from IDC estimate that less than 5% of modern smartphone components are currently made in the USA. Observers have also noted that the "Made in USA" language has been quietly removed from the Trump Mobile website, alongside the disappearance of specific release dates.
Pivot to Refurbished Phones Amidst Delays
While customers wait for the T1, the Trump Mobile website has pivoted its focus. It is now selling refurbished phones from the very brands it positioned itself against, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, Galaxy S23, and Galaxy S24. This move highlights the gap between the company's launch ambitions and the current market reality as it navigates production and regulatory hurdles for its flagship device.
