Colbert Mocks 600,000 Trump Phone Deposits as Fine Print Warns $499 Device May Never Ship
Updated
Updated · TheWrap · May 13
Colbert Mocks 600,000 Trump Phone Deposits as Fine Print Warns $499 Device May Never Ship
2 articles · Updated · TheWrap · May 13
Stephen Colbert used Tuesday’s “Late Show” monologue to ridicule Trump Mobile customers after updated terms said the $499 T1 Phone may never be commercially released.
The new fine print says there is no guarantee the device will launch or win regulatory approvals, undercutting expectations that buyers would receive the Trump-branded handset.
Around 600,000 people reportedly put down $100 deposits when Donald Trump’s sons, Don Jr. and Eric, announced the phone in June 2025, giving Colbert fresh material about supporters paying for a product that may not arrive.
Colbert said backlash is already building, airing one angry Trump supporter’s reaction as the controversy widened beyond his jokes to customer frustration.
Is the T1 Phone a victim of market forces or a flawed business model from the start?
The T1 Phone changed its terms after taking deposits. Is this a legal loophole or a broken promise?
With $59M in deposits, what happens to customer money if the delayed T1 Phone never ships?