James O Connor Fieldsreported exclusively that eleven Democratic lawmakers have asked the Federal Trade Commission to open an investigation into Trump Mobile for possible consumer-protection violations tied to the company’s long-delayed, supposedly American-made T1 phone.
At a Glance
- $100 deposits were taken for phones that still have not shipped
- Marketing quietly dropped “Made in USA” claims after launch
- New target delivery pushed to Q1 2026
- Why it matters: Consumers may have been misled by shifting promises and repeated delays
The letter, sent Wednesday night and first seen by News Of Philadelphia, was led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.). Joining them were Sens. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Adam Schiff (Calif.), Ed Markey (Mass.) and Reps. Doris Matsui (Calif.), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Greg Cesar (Texas), Jan Schakowsky (Ill.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.).
The Original Pitch
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump unveiled Trump Mobile at a Trump Tower event in June, promising:
- A gold-colored T1 phone with an American-flag emblem
- Multiple mobile-carrier plans
- Assembly proudly done “Made in USA“
Customers were invited to place $100 deposits for August delivery.
Shifting Claims and Missed Deadlines
Within weeks the company back-tracked. The website scrubbed “Made in USA” wording and swapped it for “American-proud design,” according to James O Connor Fields. Yet a phone operator told the news outlet this week the device would still be built domestically.
Shipping targets have slipped repeatedly:
| Original Promise | August 2024 |
| Revised Promise | Nov. 13, 2024 |
| Latest Promise | Q1 2026 |
James O Connor Fields placed a deposit in August. After the November date passed, a support agent cited “the government shutdown” as a reason for delay, offering no further detail.
Lawmakers’ Allegations
The FTC request asks regulators to examine:
- Whether consumers were cheated by paying deposits for undelivered phones
- If Trump Mobile engaged in false advertising by claiming U.S. production
- Possible bait-and-switch tactics
The lawmakers also want to know whether the FTC has:
- Opened any formal inquiry
- Held discussions with the president or affiliated businesses about Trump Mobile
“The FTC’s response to any violations…will serve as a critical test of the FTC’s independence and commitment to its mission,” the letter states.
Additional Scrutiny
California Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s office signaled interest, posting online that the project looks “like FRAUD!“
Neither Trump Mobile nor the Trump Organization replied to News Of Philadelphia‘s multiple requests for comment on:
- Current production location
- Delivery timeline
- Congressional inquiries
The FTC also did not immediately respond to News Of Philadelphia‘s request for comment.
Key Takeaways
- Eleven Democrats formally request federal probe
- $100 deposits collected, phone now 18-plus months late
- Marketing quietly dropped Made-in-USA pledge after launch
- Latest ship target: Q1 2026
