NewsUS NewsDonald TrumpPre-ordered phones 'are starting to be delivered to customers this week' according to the CEO of Trump Mobile following criticism of the gold, president-branded devices18:43, 16 May 2026Donald Trump’s gold MAGA phone is finally on its way to buyers after months of delays, but concerns over the product remain.‌The garish handset had been subject to claims from critics that it is a disguised and cheap Chinese-made product, while around 590,000 customers had experienced delays to shopping Trump Mobile CEO Pat O'Brien said that pre-ordered phones “are starting to be delivered to customers this week”.‌He said delays had been brought about by the process of bringing a phone to the market and quality checks. Customers who parted with a $100 deposit, around £75, for the ‘T1’ device that costs a total $499 (£375), are to be updated as orders begin shipping.‌READ MORE: Trump announces elimination of 'world's most active terrorist' found hiding in AfricaAnalysts had questioned whether the phone, which was first broached with branding promoting US manufacturing, could actually be made in the US. Specifications have been compared to cheaper Android mobiles already available on the market, while Trump Mobile changed its language on the issue, saying it had been “designed with American values in mind”.‌It is not clear where the device will be made. Terms and conditions on the Trump Mobile website were also quietly updated last month, adding to the further scrutiny of the president-associated blowers.A deposit “does not guarantee” a device will be made available for purchase or be made, according to the terms reported by the Mail. The deposits are instead a "conditional opportunity” to buy a Trump Mobile phone if the company decides to sell one.‌Trump Mobile had first planned to launch the phone in August last year. The company has said demand has been “incredibly high” and rejected criticism of the rollout.A monthly 5G plan for the phone costs $47.45. Trump is the 45th and 47th US president. Elsewhere, Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a two-day trip to Beijing next week, the Kremlin said.The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Trump finished his own state visit to China, where he also met Xi to discuss trade and the US and Israel’s war in Iran. In a statement, the Kremlin said that Putin’s trip, planned for May 19-20, had been scheduled to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship.Article continues belowIt said that the two leaders would discuss bilateral relations as well as “key international and regional issues” and economic cooperation. Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left Moscow shunned on the global stage and heavily reliant on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.When Putin visited China in September 2025, Xi welcomed his counterpart as an “old friend”. Putin also addressed Xi as “dear friend”. The Russian leader is also scheduled to visit China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the city of Shenzhen in November.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Donald Trump