Trump Gold Card Draws Global Interest From Rich
President Donald Trump proudly displayed his “Gold Card” to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, showcasing the $5 million immigration document that grants wealthy foreign nationals permanent U.S. residency. The card, which bears Trump’s face, has already generated $5 billion in revenue through the sale of 1,000 cards, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“For $5 million, this could be yours. That was the first of the cards. You know what that card is? It’s the Gold Card, the Trump Card, Gold Card,” Trump told reporters, claiming he was the program’s first buyer. When asked who purchased the second card, the president replied, “I don’t know, but I’m the first buyer. It’ll be out in about less than two weeks. Pretty exciting, right?” according to Mediaite.
The Gold Card program, officially launched in February 2025, effectively replaces the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, which previously required investments of $800,000 to $1 million and the creation of at least 10 jobs. The new program significantly raises the financial barrier while eliminating employment requirements, creating what critics call a “pay-to-play” immigration system.
Ambitious Financial Goals Amid Growing Debt
The financial implications of the program are substantial. With the U.S. national debt exceeding $36.22 trillion and increasing by approximately $4.87 billion daily, the Gold Card initiative represents a potentially significant revenue stream. Commerce Secretary Lutnick estimates that 37 million people worldwide can afford the card, creating an enormous addressable market.
“If 200,000 Gold Cards are sold at $5 million each, the resulting $1 trillion could make a meaningful dent in the national debt,” Forbes reported. “Scaling the program to 10 million cards would generate $50 trillion, theoretically erasing the debt entirely and freeing up resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical investments.”
The concept reportedly originated from a conversation between financier John Paulson and Trump, drawing inspiration from similar “Golden Visa” programs in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Spain, and Italy, which offer residency to wealthy investors at varying price points.
Ethical and Social Implications
Despite its financial promise, the program has sparked heated debate over its ethical implications. Critics argue that it fundamentally transforms U.S. immigration policy from a system based on opportunity, diversity, and merit to one explicitly favoring the ultra-wealthy, regardless of their potential contributions to American society.
A particularly controversial aspect of the program involves taxation. Lutnick has acknowledged that most Gold Card holders will likely avoid pursuing full U.S. citizenship to sidestep American tax obligations, creating a scenario where wealthy individuals can enjoy the benefits of U.S. residency without shouldering corresponding civic responsibilities.
Housing advocates have raised concerns about potential market disruption, warning that an influx of ultra-wealthy residents could drive up property values in desirable areas, exacerbating affordability challenges for middle and lower-income Americans and potentially deepening economic divides.
Security and Transparency Questions
While the administration has instituted background checks for applicants, security experts have questioned whether the program could attract bad actors seeking to exploit regulatory loopholes. The identities of Gold Card purchasers remain private, raising transparency concerns about who is essentially buying their way into U.S. residency.
The program represents a dramatic shift from the previous EB-5 visa system, which issued over 12,000 visas in 2024. Under that program, foreign nationals were required to make significant investments that created American jobs, rather than simply purchasing residency outright.
As Trump showcased his Gold Card aboard Air Force One, questions about the long-term impact of the program remain unanswered. Will it be remembered as an innovative solution to America’s fiscal challenges, or as a controversial pivot that commodified American residency and altered the nation’s immigration principles? With 1,000 cards already sold and potentially thousands more in the pipeline, the answer may soon become clear.
This news took place on April 4, 2025.
