The $TRUMP Organization has just unveiled its new $499 “T1” smartphone — a gold-colored Android device that it claims will be built in the United States. But industry analysts are calling that promise misleading.
Despite the bold claim of U.S. manufacturing, experts believe the T1 will be produced by a Chinese original device manufacturer (ODM). According to a CNBC report, the phone’s components — like its 6.8-inch AMOLED display and processor — are likely sourced from Asia, mainly South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.
“There’s no way this phone is fully designed or assembled in the U.S.,” said Francisco Jeronimo of IDC. Jeff Fieldhack at Counterpoint Research added, “The U.S. simply lacks the manufacturing capabilities for mass smartphone production.”
Even partial U.S. assembly won’t make the T1 truly “Made in America.” In today’s tech world, global supply chains dominate, and sourcing every part domestically is nearly impossible — especially at a mid-range price like $499.
While Trump has long pushed for U.S. tech manufacturing — even urging Apple to bring iPhone production stateside — this latest move seems more about branding than reality.
So, is the T1 patriotic innovation or just another political product dressed in gold?
