President Trump responded favorably to reports of a proposed $5,000 “baby bonus” for women who give birth, telling reporters, “Sounds like a good idea to me.” The proposal, first reported by The New York Times, is part of a broader set of ideas under consideration by the White House to encourage higher birth rates in the U.S., which have fallen to their lowest level since 1979.
In 2023, fewer than 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S., with the birth rate for women ages 15–22 declining 3% from the previous year. Critics like NYU medical ethicist Art Caplan called the idea “morally offensive,” saying, “What the Trump administration wants is the right kind of babies.” Conservative strategist Rina Shah defended the intent, saying, “They see a declining birth rate, and they’re thinking to themselves, ‘How do we make America great again?’”
Other incentives reportedly discussed include reserving Fulbright scholarships for applicants with children and creating a “National Medal of Motherhood.” Shah acknowledged the $5,000 may not offset the costs of parenting, which can exceed $20,000 in the first year. The White House has not confirmed which proposals will move forward.
🔗Head to our bio to download the Ground News app and read the full story as reported by 100 sources.
