Trump accounts officially launch: Trump rings NYSE and Nasdaq bells as $1,000 child investment program begins
U.S. President Donald Trump points a finger onstage at the U.S. Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit, in Washington, D.C., U.S. January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump officially launched the Trump Accounts investment program on Monday, marking the occasion by simultaneously ringing the opening bells of both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq from the White House. The event celebrated the rollout of a new federal initiative designed to give eligible American children a financial head start through tax-advantaged investment accounts.
Created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the program provides eligible children with an initial government-funded investment while allowing families, employers, and private donors to contribute additional funds. The administration says the initiative aims to encourage long-term wealth creation, increase financial literacy, and expand investment opportunities for future generations.
Trump celebrates nationwide rollout of Trump Accounts
Speaking during the White House ceremony, President Trump described the new investment accounts as a transformational opportunity for American families.
According to the president, children who begin life with little or no savings could accumulate significant wealth over time by remaining invested in the stock market.
Trump emphasised that the initiative had been discussed for decades before finally becoming law through the Republican-backed legislative package signed last year. During the ceremony, he also expressed confidence that the U.S. economy would continue to support long-term investment growth for participating families.
The historic opening bell ceremony was coordinated with both the NYSE and Nasdaq, making it one of the first times a U.S. president officially participated in opening both major stock exchanges remotely from the Oval Office.
How the Trump Accounts program works
The Trump Accounts program introduces tax-advantaged investment accounts for eligible American children.
Every qualifying child born between 2025 and 2028 automatically receives a one-time $1,000 federal contribution deposited into their account.
Parents and legal guardians can contribute up to $5,000 annually, while employers may contribute up to $2,500 per year without increasing the employee’s taxable income, subject to program rules.
Funds are invested in diversified, low-cost index funds designed to track the performance of the U.S. stock market. Officials say the accounts are intended to remain invested for many years, allowing compound growth over time.
The Treasury Department also launched the official Trump Accounts mobile application, enabling eligible families to manage and monitor their accounts digitally.
Initial investment option focuses on S&P 500
At launch, the program offers a single default investment option.
The initial fund is the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM), a low-cost exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index.
Treasury officials have indicated that four additional ETF options will become available in the coming months, including funds managed by Vanguard, iShares, and State Street, giving participants broader exposure to the overall U.S. stock market.
The administration says the diversified investment approach is intended to reduce costs while encouraging long-term investment growth.
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Michael and Susan Dell make multi-billion-dollar contribution
A major highlight of the launch was recognition of Michael Dell and Susan Dell, who pledged more than $6 billion to support children’s investment accounts.
According to President Trump, their contribution includes $250 deposits for eligible children aged 10 and younger who were born before January 1, 2025.
The president praised the couple’s commitment, saying their donation would help millions of children begin building wealth at an early age.
During the ceremony, Trump also encouraged Americans to purchase Dell products while commending the company’s investment in the initiative.
Following his remarks, Dell Technologies shares rose sharply during trading, climbing more than 7% as investors reacted to the public endorsement.
Major corporations announce matching contributions
The launch attracted numerous executives, financial leaders and government officials who expressed support for the initiative.
Several companies have announced plans to match the federal contribution for eligible children of their employees.
Participating organizations include Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Chase, Robinhood, SoFi, Intel, Comcast, Chipotle, Bank of New York Mellon, Charter Communications, Chime Financial, and Micron Technology.
In addition, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell announced plans to donate company shares to Trump Accounts for millions of eligible American children.
Administration officials believe these voluntary corporate contributions could significantly increase the long-term value of participating children’s investment portfolios.
Trump says program supports the American Dream
Supporters describe the initiative as a modern approach to expanding financial opportunity through investing rather than traditional savings programs.
During the launch event, investment leaders argued that giving children early exposure to long-term investing could improve financial security and encourage greater participation in capital markets.
The administration estimates that hundreds of millions of dollars entered the stock market during the first week of the program’s rollout, with more contributions expected as additional families and corporate partners participate.
While supporters view the initiative as a significant wealth-building opportunity, the long-term performance of individual accounts will ultimately depend on market returns and the level of future contributions made by families and participating organizations.
FAQ
What are Trump Accounts?
Trump Accounts are tax-advantaged investment accounts established by the U.S. government to help eligible American children build long-term savings through investments in diversified stock market funds.
Who qualifies for Trump Accounts?
Children born between 2025 and 2028 qualify for the federal $1,000 seed contribution. Additional eligibility requirements are determined by the program guidelines issued by the U.S. Treasury Department.
How much money does the government deposit?
The federal government provides a one-time $1,000 contribution for each eligible child.
Can parents contribute to Trump Accounts?
Yes. Parents and guardians may contribute up to $5,000 per year to their child’s account, subject to program rules.
Can employers contribute?
Yes. Employers can contribute up to $2,500 annually to an eligible employee’s child’s account without affecting the employee’s taxable income under the program guidelines.
How is the money invested?
The funds are invested in diversified, low-cost index funds. At launch, the default investment is the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM), with additional ETF options expected later.
What is the Trump Accounts app?
The Trump Accounts app allows eligible families to access, monitor, and manage their investment accounts through a digital platform.
Why did Trump ring the NYSE and Nasdaq opening bells?
The ceremony marked the official public launch of the Trump Accounts program and symbolized the initiative’s focus on long-term stock market investing.
Why did Dell Technologies receive attention during the launch?
President Trump praised Michael and Susan Dell for pledging more than $6 billion to support the initiative. Following Trump’s public endorsement, Dell Technologies shares rose significantly during trading.
Which companies are supporting Trump Accounts?
Several major firms have announced matching contributions for eligible employees’ children, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Chase, Robinhood, SoFi, Intel, Comcast, Chipotle, Chime Financial, Bank of New York Mellon, Micron Technology, and others.
What is the goal of Trump Accounts?
The program seeks to encourage long-term investing, promote financial literacy, reduce wealth gaps, and provide children with assets that can grow over time through compound investment returns.