From The Atlantic · · 1m
Trump Accounts fail to win over skeptical parents
A government savings program for babies loses traction when the president's name is attached to it.
In brief
A government savings program for babies loses traction when the president's name is attached to it. The Trump Accounts program, offering one thousand dollars to newborns, struggles with public acceptance because parents distrust the president's brand and his history of failed ventures. Originally reported by The…
Free money rejected over a name
Eloise, a Michigan veteran, turned down one thousand dollars in government seed money for her newborn because the Trump Accounts program bore the president's name. She feared it was a scam.
“Both my husband and I, our first reaction was like, Oh, this is a scam.”
Trump's track record haunts the program
Eloise's skepticism stemmed from Trump's history with a university, airline, steaks and casinos, all of which failed and left creditors or investors holding the bag. She also had moral objections.
“Ultimately, it's like, the man's a con man.”
The name itself is the obstacle
A Democratic investment idea meant to help children achieve financial security now risks becoming a casualty of partisan division. Lawmakers say the program has promise, but its greatest obstacle is its name.
Here's the gist
The Trump Accounts program, offering one thousand dollars to newborns, struggles with public acceptance because parents distrust the president's brand and his history of failed ventures.
