Public reaction has been mixed following Donald Trump’s endorsement of a proposed ‘baby bonus’ aimed at addressing the United States’ declining birth rates.
New data released this month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that around 3.6 million babies were born in the country in 2024.
The figures also indicate a slight rise in the fertility rate — 54.6 births per 1,000 women of reproductive age — marking an increase of less than 1 percent from the record low recorded in 2023.
Elon Musk, a father of 14, reacted to the news on Twitter by warning that “low birth rates will end civilization” — and he’s far from alone in raising concerns about the issue.
Birth rates barely increased in 2024 compared to 2023 (Getty Stock Photo)
According to the New York Times, the White House has recently been open to proposals aimed at boosting birth rates, including the idea of prioritizing Fulbright scholarships for applicants who are married or have children.
One of the more potentially controversial suggestions is a $5,000 cash ‘baby bonus’ awarded to every American mother after childbirth.
The information about these proposals comes from four individuals who participated in the meetings and spoke with The New York Times. However, Trump personally expressed support for the baby bonus idea when questioned by reporters.
During an Oval Office meeting, he was asked about the proposed cash incentive by The New York Post and replied, “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
Not everyone agrees, though. Many have taken to Reddit to voice their opinions, with several users noting that $5,000 wouldn’t make much of a dent in the overall cost of raising a child.
The ‘baby bonus’ idea would give all new mothers $5,000 (Getty Stock Photo)
One Reddit user commented sarcastically, “Yes, because $5K will be enough to support a kid to adulthood… not linked, but I think the average cost of raising a child is something like $300K to $400K.”
Another user echoed the sentiment, writing, “Hell, $5K won’t even cover the cost of giving birth!”
“This is some weird, messed-up stuff,” another added. “Not to mention, $5,000 doesn’t go very far these days — that’s like two months’ rent and a couple grocery runs.”
Others raised ethical concerns about offering a cash incentive for childbirth. As one person put it, “If $5,000 is enough to convince someone to have a child, they probably shouldn’t be having one.”
In a statement to The Times, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump ‘is proudly implementing policies to uplift American families’.
“The President wants America to be a country where all children can safely grow up and achieve the American dream,” she said. “As a mother myself, I am proud to work for a president who is taking significant action to leave a better country for the next generation.”
