On August 20, U.S. President Donald Trump’s new mobile venture sparked controversy after unveiling its first product, the T1 Phone, through a promotional post on X (formerly Twitter). The post showcased a shiny gold smartphone with the tagline: “Gold Smartphone. Big Power.”
Gold Smartphone. Big Power
However, the launch quickly drew scrutiny from social media users who claimed the device was not an original design. According to multiple observations highlighted under Community Notes, X’s fact-checking feature, the T1 Phone closely resembled a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, fitted with a Spigen gold case. The promotional image appeared to have an American flag and ‘T1’ branding digitally pasted, concealing Spigen’s logo.
The controversy escalated when Spigen responded to the allegations with a cryptic message on X: “A lawsuit is coming.” The statement has fueled speculation about potential legal action against Trump’s venture for intellectual property violations.
Pricing, specs raise further questions
According to Trump Mobile’s official website, the T1 Phone is listed at $499 and is claimed to operate on Android 15. The claim has raised eyebrows since most flagship smartphones are already on Android 16, with Android 17 expected by 2026.
The device was originally marketed as being “designed and built in the United States,” a promise that industry experts have questioned. In a report by CNBC-TV18, analysts suggested that producing a smartphone domestically at that price point is highly improbable given current manufacturing and component costs.
Trump first announced plans for the T1 Phone earlier this year, positioning it as an alternative to “Big Tech” devices and a push for U.S.-made technology. But with the current controversy, the launch has shifted focus from patriotic branding to allegations of misrepresentation. Whether the backlash results in a lawsuit or affects the phone’s commercial success remains to be seen.