President Trump has expressed support for a proposed financial incentive aimed at boosting birth rates in the US. The $5,000 bonus for new mothers is part of a broader pronatalist push from the administration, amid ongoing demographic concerns.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed a plan to provide new mothers with a $5,000 financial reward following childbirth. The idea, widely referred to as a “baby bonus,” was floated in policy circles as a response to the declining US fertility rate, which remains below replacement level.
Trump’s remarks came during a press interaction at the White House, where he responded positively when asked about the proposal.
The initiative is one of several strategies under review as the administration explores avenues to counteract the demographic downturn. Other suggestions include expanding child tax credits and increasing public awareness about reproductive health.
According to The New York Times, these ideas have been presented to the White House by conservative policy groups and fertility advocates, many of whom are aligned with the ideological priorities of Project 2025.
Fertility Rates Remain Historically Low Despite Minor Uptick
The United States recorded 3.6 million births in 2024, marking a slight 1% increase from 2023’s record low, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite the marginal rise, the overall fertility rate remains under 55 births per 1,000 women of reproductive age, a level significantly below that needed for population replacement.
Demographically, the increase was driven primarily by births among Asian and Hispanic women, while fertility rates continued to decline among Black, White and American Indian women.
Analysts note that this is part of a broader trend observed since the mid-2000s, with fewer women choosing to have children, particularly at younger ages. The average age of first-time mothers has been rising, reflecting changing social, economic, and cultural dynamics.
Policy Proposals Signal Ideological Shift Toward Pronatalism
The idea of offering a cash incentive to new mothers forms part of a wider ideological shift that prioritises traditional family structures.
According to The New York Times, policy discussions inside the Trump administration have included recommendations to direct government funding toward reproductive education, including teaching women to track ovulation cycles.
Other proposals involve allocating Fulbright fellowships preferentially to married applicants or those with children, signalling a strategic alignment with conservative family values. These recommendations echo the views of the Heritage Foundation, which helped draft Project 2025—a policy roadmap focused on reinforcing family as a societal cornerstone.
Trump’s self-characterisation as the “fertilization president” and his earlier support for expanded access to in vitro fertilisation illustrate his political commitment to raising birth rates.
Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk have also expressed concerns about population decline, with Musk warning that “collapsing birth rates will cause any species to go extinct,” as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The White House has not confirmed whether the baby bonus or any associated proposals will be formalised into legislation.
