Democrat Lawmakers in Poor Districts Shun Trump Help

By
Mark Stevens
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Rep. Bennie Thompson is urging Americans to avoid opening the new Trump Accounts, a federal savings program designed to provide financial assets for children born during President Donald Trump’s second term.

The Mississippi Democrat, a longtime Trump critic and former chairman of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, took aim at the program Monday in a social media post.

“It’s safe to say, I would pass on a Trump account,” Thompson wrote. “Trump University already taught us what happens when his name is on the brochure. Does a $25 million settlement ring a bell?”

The remark referenced Trump University, the real estate education venture that operated from 2005 to 2010 before closing. Trump later agreed to a $25 million settlement to resolve litigation related to the program while denying wrongdoing.


Thompson’s criticism came the same day President Trump announced that more than six million eligible children had already been enrolled in Trump Accounts, with the initial federal deposits beginning this week.

The accounts were established under a provision of last summer’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The program provides a federally funded $1,000 contribution for eligible American children born between 2025 and 2028. Families must open an account in order to receive the government’s initial deposit.

The accounts function as long-term investment vehicles intended to grow over time. Additional private contributions may be made annually by parents, relatives, employers, charitable organizations, and others, subject to contribution limits established under the law.


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the initiative as one of the administration’s signature family-focused policies.

“Trump Accounts, I believe, are the most important benefit for young people since the GI Bill,” Bessent told reporters in late May.

He added that nearly six million children had already been signed up and encouraged eligible families to enroll through the program’s official website.

Support for the initiative has also come from the private sector.

In December, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, announced that their charitable organizations would contribute $250 to the accounts of approximately 25 million children who were too old to qualify for the federal newborn deposit. According to CNBC, the donations will be directed toward children living in ZIP codes with median household incomes of $150,000 or less.


Several major companies, including Visa, Comcast, Uber, and Charles Schwab, have also announced plans to participate in the program through additional contributions, according to the White House.

Under the law, accounts may receive up to $5,000 in additional contributions each year. Axios previously reported that employers may contribute up to $2,500 annually on a tax-advantaged basis.

CNN business reporter David Goldman noted Monday that families who consistently maximize contributions over time could accumulate substantial balances by the time a child reaches adulthood.


“If you do max out your contributions, you’re talking about some really serious money — about a quarter million dollars by the time your child is 18,” Goldman said.

Once beneficiaries reach age 18, the funds may generally be used for qualifying purposes such as higher education expenses, a down payment on a first home, starting a business, or certain retirement-related investments. Withdrawals for non-qualified purposes may be subject to taxes and a 10 percent penalty.

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