President Donald Trump marked the launch of the new federal “Trump Accounts” investment program on Monday by ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange from the White House, commemorating the first day of trading under the initiative that provides eligible children with a $1,000 government-funded investment account.

The event took place in the Oval Office, where Trump welcomed executives from both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq for a joint ceremony and press conference. It marked the first time the two exchanges participated together in opening the trading day and the first occasion the opening bell was rung from the White House.

“Those accounts will begin to grow along with our booming economy,” Trump said. “We’re giving this money to children so they can have a good life.”

Although the accounts bear Trump’s name, the concept of providing children—especially those from lower-income families—with long-term investment accounts has existed for years and has received bipartisan backing. The program was ultimately authorized by Congress as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“I did not ask for it,” Trump claimed of the accounts being named after him. “I have done that in other cases.”

During the ceremony, Trump joked that he hoped to keep the ceremonial exchange bell brought to the Oval Office and place it on display in the new White House ballroom once construction is completed.

Under the program, every child born between January 2025 and December 2028 will automatically receive a $1,000 contribution from the federal government. Parents, relatives, friends, and employers may contribute up to $5,000 annually, with parents or legal guardians managing the account until the child turns 18. At that point, the beneficiary gains full control and may use the funds for purposes such as higher education, purchasing a home, or launching a business.

The money will automatically be invested in a diversified index fund, and parents can establish the accounts through the IRS.

“They can have a lot of money,” Trump said of the accounts. “We should have acted faster. It’s too bad.”

The initiative has also attracted major philanthropic support. Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan, pledged $6.25 billion to provide an additional $250 for each of 25 million children under the age of 10 living in lower-income communities. Hedge fund investor Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, also contributed funds that will provide an extra $250 to roughly 300,000 children from lower-income areas across Connecticut.

“We’re going to get him that money back one way or another,” Trump said on Monday, encouraging people to buy Dell computers.

SpaceX President and CEO Gwynne Shotwell also announced a major donation Monday morning, committing $350 million to the program. She said the contribution would benefit children living in lower-income communities, with additional emphasis on youngsters residing near SpaceX’s central Texas operations.

“With a bit more emphasis for those that live near our central Texas home”, she wrote in a post on X. “We have been fortunate in our careers and hope this gift encourages the next generation to continue the journey of enabling humanity to live and fly amongst the stars.”

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{Matzav.com}