590k buyers paid $59M for Trump's gold phone, but not one has shipped
Preorders for a branded “Trump Mobile” gold smartphone, which has taken in around $59 million from 590,000 buyers, have yet to result in a single shipped device, prompting comparisons to political grifting, megachurch tithing, and other high-profile preorder schemes. Commenters examine how updated terms now frame the $100 payments as non-binding deposits for a merely “conditional opportunity” to buy a phone, raising questions about fraud, unjust enrichment, and weak consumer protections. The episode is used to highlight broader concerns about cult-like political loyalty, declining trust in institutions, and a perceived normalization of scams in U.S. public life.
Perceptions of the Trump Phone Scheme
- Many see the phone as another example of longstanding grift, enabled by a loyal base that repeatedly forgives or rationalizes failed products.
- Several commenters explicitly label it a scam or bait‑and‑switch, especially after terms were updated so deposits only buy a “conditional opportunity” to purchase if the company ever sells a device.
- A minority suggest it might have started as a genuine project that got overwhelmed by demand and pivoted to rebadging an existing HTC model, but even they acknowledge it looks deceptive.
Preorders, Float, and “Grift Meta”
- Commenters compare this to other big preorders (Tesla Roadster 2, FSD, Bitcoin miners, broadband build‑out promises), where money is taken long before delivery.
- One view: with high interest rates, holding large preorder sums and delaying is financially attractive, possibly even if refunds are eventually forced.
- Others counter that unjust enrichment law theoretically allows courts to claw back not just principal but gains, though skeptics note this depends on getting caught and actually enforced.
Religious/Cult Analogies and Supporter Psychology
- Multiple comments liken the purchase to tithing or giving alms: buyers may see it as contributing to a cause, not just buying hardware.
- Some describe the dynamic as cult‑like, where pointing out the con provokes anger at the critic rather than the promoter.
- Disagreement arises over whether tithing generally is grift; some defend ordinary churches’ use of funds, while others focus on cases where explicit material promises are made.
Pricing and Mobile Market Context
- The $47.45/month “47 Plan” (on T‑Mobile’s network) is judged expensive relative to some mainstream carrier plans, but cheaper than what some older customers currently pay.
- Several note that many people remain on outdated, overpriced plans due to inertia or lack of knowledge, making them easy targets.
Broader Political and Social Themes
- Some argue the episode illustrates how leadership normalizes scamming and erodes norms, especially around truthfulness and rule of law.
- There is debate over whether this reflects wider societal failures (education, regulation, social safety “guard rails”) versus purely individual responsibility.
- A side thread discusses HN’s self‑moderation, alleging that critical posts about certain figures are often quickly buried.