Trump’s $5 Million Gold Card Launches Next Week
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced Thursday that the controversial “Gold Card” visa program will launch within “a week, week-and-a-half,” offering wealthy foreigners a path to American citizenship for a $5 million fee. The announcement comes just one week after President Trump proudly displayed the physical card—emblazoned with his own likeness—to reporters aboard Air Force One.
“I’m very excited that within a week-and-a-half we’re going to start with the gold card and the Trump card—it’s coming out, and we’re excited about that, and that’s coming soon,” Lutnick stated during a White House cabinet meeting, according to USA Today.
The program, which Trump first announced in February, will effectively replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. While the EB-5 required investments between $800,000 and $1.05 million that create or preserve U.S. jobs, the Gold Card simply demands a direct $5 million payment to the government with no specific investment requirements.
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Golden Ticket or Constitutional Crisis?
The administration’s move to implement the program without congressional approval has raised significant legal questions. President Trump has stated that he isn’t seeking Congress’s approval because the program offers only “a path to citizenship” rather than immediate citizenship.
However, immigration experts have questioned the legality of this unilateral action. “This would be totally illegal,” said David Bier, an expert on legal immigration at the CATO Institute. “Only Congress can create new green card categories, and a president cannot add or eliminate a green card category via executive order.”
Bier noted that while it might be difficult to establish legal standing to challenge the program—”who could plausibly claim to be harmed by millionaires immigrating”—those currently applying under existing rules whose applications are blocked might have grounds to sue.
Donald Trump unveils the Trump Gold card which costs $5 million and grants you residency in the United States.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 4, 2025
pic.twitter.com/aEcSWoRbbq
The Gold Rush Has Already Begun
Despite the legal uncertainties, the Gold Card program has already generated impressive revenue. Last month, Lutnick announced the sale of 1,000 Gold Cards, raising $5 billion in a single day, as reported by Forbes.
The sales pitch seems straightforward. “Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card,” Trump explained in February. “They’ll be wealthy, and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money, and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people.”
During his recent Air Force One interaction with reporters, Trump was even more direct: “For $5 million, this could be yours,” he said while displaying the gold-colored card. When asked who would be the first buyer, the president quipped, “Me,” before acknowledging it would be publicly available “in less than two weeks.”
A Debt Solution or Immigration Revolution?
The administration has framed the Gold Card program as a potential solution to America’s mounting national debt, which currently exceeds $36.22 trillion. Lutnick estimates that approximately 37 million people worldwide can afford to purchase the card.
The math is compelling: If 200,000 Gold Cards were sold at $5 million each, the resulting $1 trillion could make a significant impact on the national debt. Scaling to 10 million cards would theoretically generate enough revenue to eliminate the entire debt.
Unlike typical U.S. residents, Gold Card holders will not be required to pay taxes to the U.S. government on their overseas income, making the program particularly attractive to international high-net-worth individuals, according to The Independent.
Immigration by the Golden Rule
Critics argue that the program fundamentally alters America’s immigration philosophy, turning the dream of American residency into a commodity available only to the ultra-wealthy. The stark contrast between the Gold Card’s $5 million price tag and the more accessible EB-5 program’s requirements raises questions about equity and the country’s traditional values.
While not unique globally—countries like the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Spain, and Italy offer similar “golden visa” programs—the U.S. version represents a significant shift for a nation historically viewed as a land of opportunity for people of all economic backgrounds.
The program’s impact on local economies remains uncertain. Some economists worry that an influx of ultra-wealthy residents could drive up property values in desirable areas, potentially exacerbating housing affordability challenges for middle- and lower-income Americans.
As the Gold Card program prepares to launch next week, it stands as one of the most significant and controversial changes to American immigration policy in decades, raising fundamental questions about who gets to pursue the American Dream—and at what price.
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