Questions are rising about whether customers who paid deposits for the Trump Mobile T1 phone will get refunds. Democratic lawmakers want the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate. Trump Mobile was launched by Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump. Customers paid $100 deposits for a phone promised months ago but not yet delivered. Senator Elizabeth Warren and 10 other Democrats sent a letter to the FTC. They asked if Trump Mobile used deceptive ads or committed fraud. The lawmakers pointed out that the phone was advertised as “Made in the USA.” But less than a month after launch in June 2025, this claim vanished from the website. It was replaced by “American-proud design.” The lawmakers worry consumers were misled into paying deposits for a product that has not come out. NBC News put down a $100 deposit and tracked the phone’s progress. In October, staff said the phone would ship by November 13. That date passed with no phone delivered. An update blamed government shutdown delays. Later, a new operator said the phone might ship “sometime in Q1 2026” and is “in the final stages of certification and field testing.” In their letter, the Democrats urged the FTC to look into "bait-and-switch tactics involving deposits for products never delivered." They said the agency’s action will test its independence and commitment to protect the public from unfair business. Online criticism is growing. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office called on journalists to investigate the alleged fraud. Social media users say 600,000 people pre-ordered Trump Mobile phones expecting US-made products delivered by September 2025. Instead, phones are missing and customers get conflicting updates. Some speculate the phones may actually be made in China. The Trump Mobile T1 is a $499 gold smartphone announced in June 2025. It is marketed with a patriotic theme and wireless plans. Despite hundreds of thousands of deposits, the phone is yet to ship as of January 2026.