Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Trump Mobile “T1” smartphone, after a nine-month delay, has been sent to pre-order customers and some members of the media. The $499 gold-plated phone, initially promoted as “Made in the USA,” now states it is “designed with American values in mind” on its website. Tech experts indicate the device closely resembles an HTC U-24 Pro, which is made in Taiwan, despite claims of U.S. assembly and primarily American components. The phone's American flag design features 11 stripes instead of the traditional 13, drawing criticism from various commentators. Democratic senators have requested an FTC investigation into Trump Mobile regarding concerns about potentially misleading marketing and the phone's manufacturing origin. In fullThe Trump cell phone has finally arrived - but is no longer ‘Made in the USA’ and the American flag design is missing two stripesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Pre-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 devices

After nearly a year of delays, silence and revised terms, Trump Mobile has begun shipping its T1 phones, but analysts say the gold-colored device is little more than a cheap…