Trump Rings NYSE Bell as 'Trump Accounts' Launch and He Becomes First Sitting President to Sign U.S. Currency

The Trump administration launched federally seeded investment accounts giving eligible newborns a one-time $1,000 deposit.

American babies are now eligible for a federally funded $1,000 investment account under a program the Trump administration launched on Saturday. The accounts, informally dubbed 'Trump accounts,' are available to children born between January 2025 and December 2028, pairing the one-time government deposit with the option for families and employers to contribute additional funds over time. To mark the first trading day for the accounts, President Trump rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell remotely from the White House. The rollout coincides with the United States' 250th birthday celebrations. In a historic first, Trump has become the first sitting U.S. president to sign American currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the introduction of U.S. dollar bills bearing President Trump's signature, with the Treasury rolling out the newly signed $100 bills specifically for the Fourth of July. Trump posted an image of the signed $100 bill on social media, and the move was covered by Bloomberg, CNN, and The Hill, among others. The Guardian noted the accounts are backed by Wall Street investment funds and flagged that the timing carries a political dimension, with the program launching as Trump seeks to build electoral support. The Washington Post described the accounts as open to 'millions of American children,' though the precise eligibility criteria and administrative details were not fully spelled out across the sources.

Why it matters

The program represents a significant new federal financial commitment to child savings, potentially affecting millions of families across four birth-year cohorts. The structure — combining a government seed deposit with private contributions — mirrors long-debated "baby bond" policy proposals.

What's next

Details on enrollment procedures and full eligibility requirements are expected to be clarified by the Treasury Department in the coming weeks.

Key facts

• Each eligible child receives a one-time $1,000 federal deposit at birth
• Accounts are available to children born between January 2025 and December 2028
• Families and employers can contribute additional funds beyond the federal deposit
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the program on Saturday alongside currency bearing Trump's signature
• The $100 bills featuring Trump's signature were introduced to mark the US's 250th anniversary
• The Guardian characterized the accounts as Wall Street-backed investment funds

Bias & framing notes

The Guardian's framing emphasized Wall Street backing and electoral motivation, presenting the program with more skepticism than the Washington Post's straightforward descriptive account. Bloomberg's reporting focused almost entirely on the Trump-signed currency announcement rather than the child accounts, suggesting different editorial judgments about which Saturday announcement was most newsworthy. No source provided detailed eligibility criteria or total program cost figures.

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