Someone's preorder experience with the new Trump smartphone was anything but smooth

The Trump Organization officially launched its new smartphone, the T1 Phone, on Monday, alongside a new mobile service called Trump Mobile. The device is described as an all-gold smartphone "engineered for performance" and made in the United States. But despite the high-profile announcement, early buyers are reporting a troubled rollout.

Now, the T1 Phone is being offered for $499, with a $100 down payment required during preorder. However, journalist Joseph Cox from 404 Media reported that the website mischarged his card for $64.70 instead, after failing to load the payment confirmation page. Despite receiving a confirmation email, he never provided a shipping address, and the Trump Mobile portal remained inaccessible when he attempted to log in and update his details.

Trump Organization plans to operate as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), using the infrastructure of existing U.S. carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. According to the official announcement, Trump Mobile will offer nationwide 5G coverage and U.S.-based customer support centers.

Trump Jr. stated during a recent podcast appearance that the phone is intended for consumers who want "a device made in America without foreign backdoors." He added that call centers for Trump Mobile would be located in St. Louis, making sure that "data stays on shore."

The announcement and marketing of the T1 Phone seems to follow in the footsteps of other niche devices like the Liberty Phone from Purism, which appeals to users concerned about supply chain integrity and foreign-made components. However, with TrumpMobile.com still throwing login errors and providing little post-purchase clarity, the launch has left customers uncertain about what exactly they’ve ordered - or if they’ll receive it at all.

At the time of writing, the Trump Organization has not responded to public questions regarding the website’s issues or when users can expect updated order confirmations.