Trump Backs $5,000 ‘Baby Bonus’ to Reverse U.S. Birth Rate Decline
President Trump has voiced his support for a proposed plan to offer new mothers a $5,000 incentive per child, calling it a “good idea” during an interview with The New York Post. The concept, informally dubbed a “baby bonus,” is part of ongoing discussions within the White House as officials explore ways to address the declining U.S. birth rate.
According to sources familiar with the talks, several pronatalist policies are being floated, including financial rewards for childbirth, reserving 30% of Fulbright scholarships for applicants who are married or have children, and funding educational programs to help women better understand their fertility cycles. These ideas are being championed by a growing coalition that includes Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and billionaire Elon Musk, all of whom have expressed concern about the long-term demographic and economic impacts of fewer births.
The urgency behind these proposals stems from record-low birth rates in the United States. In 2023, fewer than 3.6 million babies were born, the lowest number in more than four decades and down by about 76,000 from the previous year. While the pandemic brought a slight increase in births between 2021 and 2022, the downward trend appears to have resumed, with families now averaging fewer than two children.
Another notable demographic shift is the age at which American women are having children. Birth rates among teenagers and women in their early twenties have dropped significantly, while rates have risen among women in their 30s and 40s.
While the White House has yet to formally commit to any specific measures, Trump’s endorsement signals that addressing fertility and family growth could become a central part of his agenda. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump is focused on implementing policies that support American families. “The President wants America to be a country where all children can safely grow up and achieve the American dream,” she said.
“As a mother myself, I am proud to work for a president who is taking significant action to leave a better country for the next generation,” Leavitt added.
Whether these proposals gain traction remains to be seen, but the push for a modern baby boom is clearly underway, and this time, it may come with a paycheck.
