The federal government is now in the business of setting up investment portfolios for babies. Starting July 4, the Trump administration is rolling out an app that lets parents manage custodial investment accounts for their children, each seeded with $1,000 from the US Treasury.
The program, branded as “Trump Accounts,” targets children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. That initial $1,000 gets parked in diversified index funds, giving kids exposure to companies like Nvidia, Caterpillar, Home Depot, and Tesla before they can even hold a spoon.
How the accounts actually work
The app and website launched in late May 2026, but the full feature set kicks in on July 4, 2026. That’s when the contribution window opens wide.
Once the July 4 date hits, families, friends, and even employers can contribute up to $5,000 annually per account. The accounts are tax-advantaged, meaning the gains compound without the usual tax drag that eats into returns on standard brokerage accounts.
