With America’s birth rate at historic lows, the Trump administration is reportedly weighing bold new proposals to encourage Americans to grow their families—including a potential $5,000 baby bonus for new mothers.
According to The New York Times, Trump officials are exploring several ways to reverse the troubling trend of declining births. Just last year, the U.S. recorded only 3.59 million births—a sharp drop from 2022’s 3.67 million, continuing a years-long downward spiral.
One proposal now gaining attention: offering $5,000 to mothers upon the birth of a child. That kind of financial support could be a game-changer for young families and struggling parents alike.
Other ideas reportedly being discussed inside the Trump White House include reserving 30% of Fulbright scholarships for married applicants or those with children, as well as launching a national educational campaign to teach women more about fertility and ovulation.
Policy experts have reportedly been meeting with White House officials behind closed doors, submitting written proposals aimed at restoring the American family. Though none of these ideas have been officially confirmed as administration policy, the meetings show a clear intent to tackle the nation’s population crisis head-on.
And the numbers don’t lie. The general fertility rate dropped 3% in 2023 alone—down to 54.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44—according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. That continues a steady annual decline that’s persisted since at least 2015.
President Trump has long spoken about reviving the American Dream, and part of that vision, he says, includes helping families afford to grow. From lowering housing costs to new incentives for parenthood, the message is clear: it’s time to make family formation possible again.
