On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that automatic enrollment for Trump Accounts is now live, saying nearly 70 million accounts have already been created. The 80-year-old made the announcement from the Oval Office, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, IRS chief executive Frank Bisignano and several top donors at his side.
The accounts are open to Americans under 18, with a parent or guardian approving who manages each one. Relatives, friends and employers can contribute, and children born between January 2025 and December 2028 get a one-time $1,000 Treasury deposit, according to the White House.
The 70 million figure rests on a policy switch. Treasury projects that opening accounts automatically will add more than 60 million this year. Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner, one of the program’s architects, told the “All-In Podcast” that Trump wanted to “auto-create accounts for all 50 million kids — or upwards of 70 million kids.”
The donor thank-yous came next, and they went sideways. Seated at his desk, Trump thanked Brad and Susan while looking at the trio standing to his left, then turned his head the other way. “And Michael, wherever you may be.”
Everyone in the room pointed back toward the left and laughed. Michael Dell, the Dell Technologies CEO, was standing right there next to his wife and Gerstner. A few more laughs followed.
TRUMP: I want to thank Michael, wherever he may be
THE WHOLE ROOM: He’s right here https://t.co/z72aUzXpHD
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 7, 2026
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Users on X piled on once a clip of the exchange circulated. Some alleged dementia, an unsubstantiated claim that has trailed Trump for years.
@atrupar https://t.co/oDKYaQGKHh
— Greg 🚭🚯 (@gregalmonte_) October 7, 2026
@atrupar How the fuck is trump unable to see him with this view: https://t.co/hZciehoYxK
— My Unique Name (@McLovil) October 7, 2026
@atrupar This is like a Dementia patient, at a care home, in the day room.
— Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) October 7, 2026
@atrupar Dementia is taking over.
— Marc (@kmbsdusa) October 7, 2026
@atrupar I know he famously doesn’t wear glasses in public, but I think he may indeed be going blind too.
— D. Stamos/Helodriver (@SpacecoastPix) October 7, 2026
Dell’s gift is the reason he was in the room at all. The couple pledged $6.25 billion in December, and Trump called it “one of the largest private donations in American history.” That pledge more than doubles the $2.9 billion the couple had given to charity before. Michael Dell told NPR, “What’s more important than investing in children?”
Trump has been generous with his praise of the family. He cheered the pledge on Truth Social with “TWO GREAT PEOPLE. I LOVE DELL!!!” At the July launch event, he told Americans, “Go out and buy a Dell computer,” and the company’s stock rose more than 7%.
Officials have been just as upbeat about the program itself. Bessent called it “a major change in philanthropy.” Trump has promised “real trust funds for every American child.” White House spokesman Kush Desai called the accounts “a revolutionary investment.”
Featured image via X screengrab
