US trade oversight to examine "Trump Phone" for misleading marketing

A group of US Congress members and Senators has submitted a petition to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They are calling for the trade authority to investigate the marketing of the company "Trump Mobile." In June 2025, the company announced the smartphone “T1”, which was supposed to be "Made in the USA." The representatives consider this to be "misleading marketing."

Under the leadership of Senator Elizabeth Warren of the Democratic Party, the eleven signatories of the letter (PDF) list everything that was promised for the T1 – and has since changed. Although the "Made in the USA" claim was changed shortly after the device's announcement, it was only after reservations for $100 had been sold. Furthermore, the politicians state, there are high requirements for "Made in USA." Industry representatives had repeatedly doubted whether a smartphone built almost entirely in the United States was even feasible since the announcements.

The members of Congress also criticize that the Trump Phone has still not been delivered. Initially, the devices were supposed to arrive at customers starting in August 2025, but this was repeatedly postponed. Most recently, it was pushed to December 2025, but even now, in January, there is no sign of the phones. The representatives also mention that the latest images apparently show a Samsung S25 Ultra. Samsung, a South Korean company that primarily manufactures in China, does not justify the new description of "brought to life right here in the USA," as Trump Mobile had promised in the interim instead of "Made in the USA."

Test for the FTC

As, among others, the British “The Register” writes, the petition to the FTC is apparently not just about the marketing for the US President's fan phone. The letter likely serves primarily to test the independence of the once powerful and feared FTC, which did not shy away from major antitrust investigations.

In March 2025, US President Donald Trump dismissed long-time FTC member Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, along with her colleague Alvaro Bedoya, based on a decree he issued. Both belong to the Democrats. Slaughter subsequently sued before the Supreme Court, and a decision in the matter is not expected for several months. Currently, instead of the five prescribed commissioners, there are only two, both belonging to the Republicans. Three seats on the commission are currently vacant.

(nie)