President Donald Trump proudly showcased a new venture: a $5 million “Gold Card” featuring his likeness, designed to attract wealthy foreigners seeking U.S. residency.
The announcement, made aboard Air Force One, has sparked a mix of intrigue, criticism, and curiosity across media outlets and social platforms. Here’s a look at what’s being reported about this bold initiative.
According to Mediaite, Trump displayed the card to reporters, calling it the “Trump Card, Gold Card” and boasting, “For $5 million, this could be yours.”
The card, introduced in February 2025, is positioned as a replacement for the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, offering permanent U.S. residency to those who can afford it.
Trump hinted at its imminent release, stating, “It’ll be out in about less than two weeks. Pretty exciting, right?” The first buyer, he claimed, was none other than himself, though he dodged specifics when pressed by reporters.
The financial scale of the project has already made waves. Forbes, as cited by Mediaite, reported that Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, announced the sale of 1,000 Gold Cards in a single week in late March, raising an astonishing $5 billion in a day.
Trump tied this influx of cash to broader economic promises, telling reporters, “We see it because we have trillions of dollars committed to come in,” a comment that segued into questions about his tariff policies.
The Gold Card has not been without controversy. Posts on X reflect a polarized public response, with some users mocking it as a vanity project from “Tesla Salesman and Destroyer of Economies Don Trump,” while others see it as a savvy business move.
Mediaite noted that Trump’s presentation was met with immediate questions from reporters about its economic impact, particularly in light of his tariff-heavy agenda.
The card’s steep price tag and exclusivity have raised eyebrows, positioning it as a luxury immigration option unavailable to the average person.
Details about the card’s functionality remain sparse, but its intent to overhaul the EB-5 program—a visa pathway that previously required a minimum investment of $800,000 for residency—suggests a dramatic escalation in cost and branding. Trump’s personal involvement, including putting his face on the card, adds a layer of spectacle that aligns with his long history of self-promotion.
The reported $5 billion haul from the initial sales, as highlighted by Lutnick, underscores the administration’s focus on leveraging high-profile initiatives to bolster economic narratives.
While Forbes provided the financial figure, Trump’s comments on Air Force One suggest he views the Gold Card as part of a larger strategy to attract foreign capital.
Whether this will translate into tangible economic benefits or simply serve as a flashy fundraising gimmick remains a point of debate.
