Trump Launches Child Investment Accounts with Billions in Private Pledges

The United States government launched Donald Trump Accounts, also known as 530A accounts, on July 4, 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the program provides a one-time $1,000 federal seed deposit for U.S. citizens born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. On July 6, President Trump formally marked the first trading day of the accounts by ringing the opening bells for the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq from the Oval Office.

Managed by Bank of New York Mellon and accessible via a Robinhood-partnered app, the accounts invest in low-cost U.S. equity index funds. The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF serves as the default option, with additional funds from BlackRock and Vanguard. Parents and guardians can contribute up to $5,000 annually, while employers can add up to $2,500. To streamline enrollment, the Social Security Administration integrated account setup into the Enumeration at Birth program at hospitals.

The initiative attracted significant private support, most notably a $6.25 billion pledge from Michael and Susan Dell to provide $250 grants to 25 million qualifying children aged 10 and under in low-income ZIP codes. Other contributors include Micron Technology, which pledged $250 million, and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, who donated shares to over two million children.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the program as a means to create an ownership economy. However, critics and the Cato Institute argue the program fails to address immediate poverty and may widen the wealth gap, noting that the legislation establishing the accounts coincided with cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. As of July 6, approximately 6 million accounts have been opened.