Labeled as a “Made in America” smartphone, the T1 Phone—dubbed the Trump Phone—is still a ghost product. Months after its grand unveiling, the project is still nothing more than dubious Photoshop mockups, and it’s unclear if the device actually exists or will ever exist.
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From “Made in America” to “Made in China”
Initially, the T1 was introduced as a smartphone assembled in the United States, symbolizing technological sovereignty. It soon became evident that it was actually manufactured in China, without any components made locally. The official narrative then shifted to highlight the American hands behind each device
—a rather ambiguous phrase.
The most unsettling aspect remains the visual communication surrounding the phone. On the Trump Mobile website, the official image is merely a crude alteration of a Revvl 7 Pro 5G, modified in Photoshop. On X, a new ad featured a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra adorned with a golden filter and a logo. More recently, Instagram revealed an even more improbable version: an iPhone 16 Pro Max covered in dust, recolored orange, with an American flag superimposed transparently.
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A Potentially Nonexistent Smartphone
These images are neither official renders nor photos of the product. They are clearly crafted from existing photos without causing any stir at the White House. In one instance, the manipulation even includes the logo of Spigen, a well-known accessory manufacturer, under the American flag. As you can see, they don’t seem too pleased with the montage…
In short, the proliferation of these mockups suggests that no actual prototype of the T1 has ever been presented. Even the Trump organization seems unable to specify what the device will actually look like. Nonetheless, the official website continues to accept pre-orders, promising a future Android smartphone revamped with golden and patriotic colors. But by now, we’re getting used to this…
Meanwhile, the “Trump Phone” remains primarily a case study in approximate marketing. Behind the promises of digital sovereignty, it mainly illustrates the difficulty of transitioning from political communication to a real technological product.