Trump-Branded Products Face Delays, Questions as Holiday Shopping Season Heats Up
WASHINGTON – As the holiday shopping season enters its peak, a series of Trump-branded products are facing fulfillment issues and raising questions about delivery timelines, leaving some customers waiting for items thay preordered months ago. From a delayed smartphone launch to unfulfilled vodka orders, several ventures tied to the former president are experiencing setbacks, even as new merchandise continues to hit the market.
The issues highlight the challenges of navigating the often-complex world of branded merchandise,particularly within the politically charged environment surrounding Donald Trump. While some products, like high-priced sneakers, are readily available, others are caught in limbo, prompting concern among those who invested early. This comes as Trump continues to leverage his name and image for commercial ventures, even while pursuing a potential return to the White House.
Here’s a look at the status of several Trump-branded products:
* T1 Phone/Trump Mobile: The “T1 Phone,” a gold-colored smartphone promised by Trump Mobile over the summer, has yet to ship despite being available for preorder with an initial October delivery date. The company has remained silent on social media and has not responded to media inquiries, including from USA TODAY, regarding the delays.
* Trump Vodka: Eric Trump announced plans to sell “Trump Vodka” in September,and it is currently available for preorder at $47.45. However, the Trump Organization has not yet provided a timeline for when orders will be fulfilled.
* Sneakers: Gold sneakers initially sold for $399 during Trump’s 2024 campaign. Currently, “trump 2028” sneakers are available for purchase at $799 on the website, despite a disclaimer acknowledging the constitutional limit of two presidential terms.
* Trump-backed Bibles: During the 2024 campaign, Trump sold $60 Bibles in partnership with musician Lee Greenwood.
Contributing: David Jackson, jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY