590k buyers paid $59M for Trump's gold phone, but not one has shipped

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• Several note that many people remain on outdated, overpriced plans due to inertia or lack of knowledge, making them easy targets.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.