WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell this afternoon, announcing a new “gold card” visa program that would let wealthy foreign investors buy their way into U.S. residency—and potentially citizenship—for a cool $5 million. Speaking from the Oval Office at 2:15 PM PST, Trump declared the initiative would replace the 35-year-old EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, calling it a “game-changer” for America’s economy. But as the news ricochets across X and beyond, the reaction’s been anything but quiet—love it or hate it, people are losing their minds.
Here’s the deal: Trump, flanked by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, said the “Trump Gold Card” will launch in two weeks, offering green card privileges and a path to citizenship for high-net-worth individuals willing to shell out $5 million. “Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card,” Trump boasted. “They’ll be wealthy, they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money, paying a lot of taxes, and employing a lot of people.” Lutnick chimed in, calling the EB-5 program “ridiculous” and riddled with fraud, promising that the gold card will cut the nonsense with stricter vetting and a hefty price tag.
But the kicker? Trump didn’t shy away from controversy, suggesting Russian oligarchs could qualify. “Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people,” he quipped when asked by a reporter, sparking gasps in the room. That line’s already ignited a firestorm on X, with posts ranging from cheers—“Trump’s flipping the script, letting investors fund America’s growth!”—to outrage—“This opens the door to Putin’s cronies while deporting regular folks!”
The EB-5 program, created in 1990, lets foreigners invest $1 million (or $500,000 in rural areas) in U.S. businesses that create at least 10 jobs, earning them green cards. It’s been a modest success, with about 8,000 visas issued last year, but critics say it’s plagued by scams and loopholes. Trump’s gold card ditches the job-creation requirement, focusing instead on pure cash—$5 million paid directly to the government, no strings attached. He even mused about selling 10 million cards to slash the national deficit, calling it “fantastic.”
The move fits Trump’s America First vision, pairing his crackdown on undocumented immigrants with a VIP lane for the ultra-rich. But it’s raising red flags fast. National security experts warn it could invite shady characters—Russian oligarchs, Chinese tycoons, or others with questionable ties—into the U.S. with minimal scrutiny. Immigration advocates are fuming, calling it a “wealth-based elitism” that undermines America’s values. “This isn’t a meritocracy—it’s a pay-to-play scheme,” one activist told me outside the White House, waving a sign reading “No Gold Cards for Oligarchs!”
On X, the sentiment’s split. Some see dollar signs: “This could pump billions into the economy—brilliant!” Others see betrayal: “While families are deported, Trump’s selling citizenship to the 1%? Disgraceful.” Posts are flying, with hashtags like #GoldCardVisa and #TrumpImmigration trending as users debate whether it’s genius or greed.
I hit the pavement to gauge the mood. A Trump supporter near the Washington Monument cheered, “Five million bucks? That’s fair—let the rich build our country!” But a D.C. lawyer I spoke with rolled her eyes, saying, “This isn’t immigration policy; it’s a cash grab. What about regular folks fleeing war or poverty?”
The logistics are hazy. Trump claims no congressional approval is needed, but legal experts I reached out to disagree—EB-5’s rooted in law, and changing it could spark a fight on Capitol Hill. Lutnick hinted at vetting, but details are thin. Will this really weed out fraud, or just open a new front for corruption? And what about global comparisons? The UK’s Tier 1 visa requires £5–10 million in investments for residency, not a flat donation, while Spain and Portugal demand real estate buys. Trump’s gold card feels like a bolder, riskier bet.
As of 8:22 PM PST, the White House hasn’t released a full plan, and reactions are still pouring in. Democrats are gearing up to challenge it, while GOP leaders are cautiously optimistic, seeing economic upside. For now, Trump’s betting big on the rich to bankroll America’s future—but whether this gamble pays off or backfires, we’ll all be watching.
