A Trump family business has delayed the launch of its planned $499 gold-coloured smartphone, citing logistical disruptions, including the impact of a recent US government shutdown on shipments.
Trump Mobile, a phone company launched by the Trump Organization through a name-licensing arrangement, said there was a “strong possibility” the handset would not be delivered by the end of the year, the Financial Times reported.
Customer service representatives told the publication that shipping had been disrupted during the shutdown.
The Trump Organization announced the mobile service and accompanying device in June, marking the latest commercial venture linked to the former president’s brand. The company is now run by Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
The smartphone, known as the T1, was initially promoted as a “proudly American” device and positioned as a US-made alternative to products from Apple and Samsung. Etched with an American flag and marketed with a gold finish, the handset was originally expected to ship in August, with the company later revising its timeline to “later this year.”
Customers are required to place a $100 deposit to pre-order the device.
Almost all smartphones sold in the US are manufactured overseas, primarily in China and South Korea, with growing production in India and Vietnam. It is unclear which manufacturer would produce the T1 handset, given the limited domestic smartphone manufacturing capacity in the US.