A coalition of Democratic lawmakers in the United States is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch an investigation into Trump Mobile, the mobile network provider linked to the Trump Organisation, over allegations of deceptive business practices.
Lawmakers Cite Delays and Misleading Marketing
The group, spearheaded by Senator Elizabeth Warren and comprising 11 members of Congress, sent a formal letter to the regulatory agency on Thursday. Their primary concern centres on the company's collection of $100 deposits from customers for a pre-ordered smartphone that has been repeatedly delayed.
Initially promised for release in August 2025, the launch was pushed to November, then December, and is now slated vaguely for "sometime in Q1 2026". Despite these continual postponements, the company has retained customer deposits.
Furthermore, the lawmakers have questioned whether Trump Mobile misled consumers regarding the phone's manufacturing origin. The device was initially marketed as "MADE IN THE USA," but that language has since been removed from its website. It now describes the $499 gold T1 Phone as an "American Proud Design" that is "brought to life right here in the USA," a shift that has raised suspicions about its actual production location.
Broader Concerns Over Independence and Consumer Protection
The letter also poses pointed questions to the FTC about its own independence. The lawmakers have asked the commission to disclose whether it has held any discussions with former President Donald Trump, the Trump Organisation, or Trump Mobile since the venture was announced.
"The American people deserve to know that consumer protection laws apply equally to all businesses, regardless of political connections," the legislators wrote, underscoring their concern about potential undue influence.
Trump Mobile, unveiled last year by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, operates as a mobile virtual network operator using T-Mobile's infrastructure under Liberty Mobile Wireless. It offers monthly plans and sells refurbished phones, but its own branded T1 Android device has been the subject of intense marketing and customer anticipation.
Mounting Pressure for Regulatory Action
The company has provided unclear reasons for the manufacturing delays, at one point citing a government shutdown without clear justification for how it impacted production. The coalition of Democrats is demanding that the FTC either investigate these "apparent violations" or provide a legal explanation for declining to do so.
They have set a deadline for the FTC to respond to their inquiries by 15 February 2026. This move places significant pressure on the consumer watchdog to scrutinise a business venture closely associated with a prominent political family and to uphold the principle of impartial enforcement.
