Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Democrats Press FTC to Probe Trump Mobile Over Undelivered T1 and Origin Claims

Lawmakers cast the request as a test of the FTC’s independence under intensifying political scrutiny.

Overview

  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren and 10 other Democrats asked FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson to examine whether Trump Mobile engaged in deceptive marketing and bait‑and‑switch tactics.
  • The letter seeks confirmation of any FTC communications with President Trump, the Trump Organization, or Trump Mobile and asks for a response by February 14, 2026.
  • Trump Mobile has taken $100 deposits since August 2025 but has not delivered any T1 phones, with customer support now citing a target of sometime in Q1 2026.
  • Initial “Made in the USA” claims were removed weeks after launch and replaced with phrases like “American‑proud design,” while refurbished iPhones and Samsung devices are being sold.
  • Marketing images shifted from iPhone‑like to Samsung‑like designs, drawing scrutiny and a threatened legal response from case maker Spigen, according to the lawmakers’ letter.