Featured Image Credit: MANDEL NGAN / Contributor via Getty
President Donald Trump has definitely had some weird and wonderful ideas over the years, and while his first term will likely be remembered for his controversial plan to build a wall across the Mexican border, his second term in the White House already involves even more out-there plans.
Alongside his One Big Beautiful Bill Act feeling like the antithesis to putting Elon Musk in power with the Department of Government Efficiency, Donald Trump has also outlined plans for a $175 billion Golden Dome that will protect the USA.
Hoping to recoup some of the costs for his defense dome, the POTUS has come up with a supposedly ingenious way to claw back some dollars as he clamps down on immigration...if you can afford it.
After already offering an exclusive dinner with the man himself for investing in his $TRUMP meme coin, the President has now unveiled his 'Trump Card'. Effectively giving the holder a Golden Ticket of access to the United States, applicants will be fast-tracked for US citizenship in a scheme he thinks could replace the existing investor visa program.
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Posting on Truth Social, Trump said: "Thousands have been calling and asking how they can sign up to ride a beautiful road in gaining access to the greatest country and market anywhere in the world. It’s called THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”
Sharing a link to the site, he cheered: "THE WAITING LIST IS NOW OPEN."
This isn't just any card because you'll find yourself shelling out more than just gold to get your hands on one. There's an obvious cost to Trump's program, and with the Trump Card costing $5 million, it's aimed at a specific group of wealthy foreign nationals.
Asked to enter details like their name, where they currently live, and whether they're a business or an individual, the Trump Card site is oddly sparse when it comes to seemingly key information about when it might be available. Wannabe applicants are simply told they will be "notified the moment access opens."
At least there's a snazzy picture of the card, shining in gold and emblazoned with an image of Trump alongside his signature.
Trump unveiled his plans in February 2025, telling reporters that successful applicants will be granted residency and work rights: "They’ll be wealthy, and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money, and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people."
He showed off the card while aboard Air Force One in April, although there's still much confusion about how things work.
Trump officials have suggested the Trump Card will replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme, which currently demands you invest at least $1.05m in the USA or $800,000 in designated economically distressed areas. A defiant Trump previously said he doesn't need congressional approval "because we’re not doing citizenship, we’re doing the card."
As it stands, lawful permanent residents can apply for naturalisation after five years, as long as they have a basic grasp of English, an "attachment to the principles and ideals of the US Constitution," and are of 'good moral character'.
The criteria for the Trump Card is unclear, although his administration has said there will be a vetting process.
