Trump Organization scraps 'made in the USA' tag for its gold T1 smartphone

The Trump Organization has removed explicit claims that its newly announced smartphone, the T1, will be produced in the United States. This decision comes in light of skepticism regarding the feasibility of manufacturing a smartphone domestically at its retail price of $499. Initially, the company's website featured a prominent statement declaring the T1 to be "MADE IN THE USA" and available for pre-order. However, this specific reference has now been eliminated. The updated webpage describes the device as having an "American-Proud Design" and being "brought to life right here in the USA," though it remains ambiguous whether this implies actual manufacturing within the country. Experts had previously indicated that the T1 would likely be produced in China by a third-party manufacturer, primarily due to the lack of an advanced supply chain for smartphone production in the U.S. Even with potential domestic manufacturing, many components would still necessitate international sourcing. Despite these concerns, Chris Walker, a spokesperson for Trump Mobile, asserted in a statement to USA TODAY that the T1 is "proudly being made in America," labeling any contrary speculation as "simply inaccurate." In addition to the changes regarding manufacturing claims, the T1's specifications have also undergone revisions. Originally advertised with a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, the size has now been adjusted to 6.25 inches. Furthermore, a previously stated feature of 12 gigabytes of RAM has been removed from the specs. Such alterations after an announcement are unusual in the smartphone industry. The Trump Organization has been contacted for clarification regarding these changes and the manufacturing claims. Underlining his commitment to reshoring tech production, President Trump has shifted focus towards smartphone manufacturing, previously emphasizing semiconductor production and critiquing Apple's supply chain practices.