These days, it feels like we’re existing in a constant news cycle where almost nothing makes sense, and this time is no different. President Donald Trump just announced that the US will now sell $5-million “gold cards” to wealthy foreigners to acquire a path to citizenship.
A person in a suit and red tie sits at a desk in an official-looking room
Yes, you read that right. Trump’s new gold card immigration plan will replace the EB-5 visa program, which granted green cards to immigrants who invested at least $1,050,000 in a US business or $800,000 in an “economically distressed” area.
A hand holds a gold card with the text “GOLD CARD” on it, against a dark background
Trump’s gold card immigration plan is not a brand new idea, as over 100 nations have implemented it to pursue economic investment. Even so, in recent years, some countries, like the UK, have stopped their gold card visas after discovering that they reportedly gave “corrupt elites” access to their countries.
The program’s issues have evidently not fazed Trump as he told reporters in a recent press conference: “We’re gonna be selling a gold card. You have a green card; this is a gold card. We’re gonna put a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus.”
A person in a suit sits at a desk in an official setting, signing documents. News graphics indicate breaking news from the White House
“It’s gonna be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card…they’ll be wealthy, and successful, and spending a lot of money, and paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people, and we think it’s going to be extremely successful.”
Person signing executive orders at desk in Oval Office, surrounded by officials. News graphics indicate a live broadcast discussing political actions
After he finished speaking, one reporter asked Trump: “Would a Russian oligarch be eligible for a gold card?”
“Yeah, possibly,” Trump replied with a smirk. “Hey. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people,” he continued while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick chuckled behind him.
Donald Trump signs executive orders at the White House, surrounded by others. Newsmax graphic overlays present with breaking news headline
“I’m sure you do,” Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff wrote online. This is a stunning admission by Trump after accusations of Russian collusion have followed him for years.
@SenAdamSchiff / 2atrupar / Via x.com
“Trump just laughing it up with his reprehensible Commerce Secretary about selling US citizenship to Russian oligarchs for $5 million. Disgusting,” another person wrote.
Tweet by Ron Filipkowski criticizing Trump and Commerce Secretary for allegedly discussing selling US citizenship to Russian oligarchs
So far, people are not happy about Trump’s “gold card” immigration plan, and it’s receiving significant backlash online.
“holy fuck this is so dystopian to hear LIKE ARE WE IN A HUNGER GAMES KIND OF NOVEL,” one person wrote.
Tweet expressing that current events feel dystopian, comparing them to “The Hunger Games” novel
“not US citizenship being a subscription,” this person wrote.
Profile photo of a person with a tweet: “not US citizenship being a subscription” with a crying emoji at the end
“from land of the free to land of the battlepass,” another person wrote, comparing Trump’s “gold card” system to paying for video game rewards.
Profile picture of Kev and tweet text: “from land of the free to land of the battlepass”
“he doesn’t hate immigrants he just hates poor immigrants,” this person said.
Tweet criticizing someone for hating poor immigrants and calling them a clown
This person pointed out the irony of Trump wanting to end birthright citizenship while planning to sell citizenship to wealthy foreigners.
A tweet criticizing efforts to end birthright citizenship while selling it to oligarchs, calling out hypocrisy and long-term selfish motives
“He has sold steaks, bibles, sneakers, champagne, watches, water, degrees, lies, his soul to putin, and now America. He has no class, integrity or sense,” another user wrote on TikTok.
Comment criticizing someone for selling various items and lacking integrity
A person at a podium smiles, with a shiny gold sneaker featuring an American flag design prominently displayed beside them
What are your thoughts on Trump’s new “gold card” plan? Let us know in the comments below.
