Could Trump Accounts Actually Work?

Note: captions are auto-generated and may contain errors. Host Paul Mueller is joined by AIER scholars Tom Savidge and Dave Hebert to discuss one of the most intriguing and controversial provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill: Trump Accounts. The program would provide government-seeded investment accounts for children, with supporters arguing that it could expand ownership, encourage long-term wealth building, and foster a stronger culture of saving and investing. Are Trump Accounts a meaningful step toward an ownership society, or are they simply another government program destined to fall short of its promises? Paul, Tom, and David debate the merits and drawbacks of the proposal, examining everything from financial literacy and intergenerational wealth to government incentives, philanthropy, and the future of retirement security. Along the way, they spar over whether giving every child a stake in the market could strengthen capitalism, encourage broader participation in wealth creation, and reshape the relationship between citizens and the economy.