A Mother’s Case For The Return Of The American Dream

I grew up believing America is the land of opportunity. Over the last few years, however, I have begun to wonder if that America still exists. Are we still the kind of nation where children can realistically pursue happiness, homeownership, and the American Dream?

Even in the face of endless division and media narratives designed to make families doubt it, I believe, perhaps now more than ever, the answer is yes. That’s due in large part to the Trump administration introducing Trump Accounts, a major step in setting American children up for success. And that means a lot to this mother of three with a newborn at home.

During the Biden years, I was genuinely scared about the financial state of our country. Inflation was out of control, crime was rising, and the value of the dollar felt meaningless. I couldn’t help but wonder if my kids would ever be able to afford homes, raise families, or even live independently in the country I love.

That fear is exactly why I pleaded with other moms to vote for Donald Trump. And now, everything feels different.

Last month, I gave birth to my youngest daughter, Monroe Lee, a name rooted in American history. And for the first time in years, I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time about this country, real hope for the American Dream. Inflation and crime are down, and Wall Street can’t outbid first-time home buyers. Under President Trump, the American Dream feels alive and well again.

That’s why Trump Accounts hit me personally.

These investment accounts are brilliant in their simplicity. This isn’t some complicated, exclusive program — it’s a literal capital investment that starts growing right away. A $1,000 jumpstart for a better future.

If we want our nation to prosper, we must facilitate individual prosperity, and one of the easiest ways to kickstart long-term, widespread opportunity is to give every child a personal stake in the nation’s success from day one. Not only will they grow into more financially independent adults — reducing long-term reliance on government programs — but they will be literal stakeholders in America’s prosperity itself. With skin in the game, they’ll be eager to contribute so they can reap the financial benefits of their hard work, thereby driving progress and innovation. It’s textbook win-win-win.

While my first two children were born during the dark economic days under Biden, my third qualifies for a Trump Account. If we simply open the account, that original $1,000 could be up to $8,000 by age 18, and over $18,000 by age 28. It could potentially turn into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars by adulthood — especially if parents and family contribute. Under current guidance, parents, employers, and even philanthropists can add to these accounts, and contributions are invested in low-cost, diversified funds designed for growth. 

This is the kind of financial opportunity that creates generational wealth — something that has, for too long, mostly been accessible only to the already wealthy. But Trump Accounts change that by giving every child a tangible financial head start.

The tragic reality is that most Americans lack the kind of financial literacy and experience that builds wealth. That’s why it often seems that the rich get richer: they know what they’re doing, and oftentimes they have a head start. While the American Dream provides endless opportunities, that means little to those who don’t know how to take advantage of them. But Trump Accounts make it as easy as it’s ever going to get to break the curse of generational poverty and shrink economic disparities.

Hard-working Americans — parents, grandparents, employers, and even outside donors like Michael and Susan Dell — can contribute to these accounts over the years so kids can watch their money grow with them. Major financial firms have committed to matching contributions for employees’ children, and some philanthropic investments provide additional seed funds for those who otherwise might be left out. 

Even just that sense of security in knowing there’s money in the bank can pave the way for children to pursue greater opportunities as they unfold before them. By the end of President Trump’s term, 25 million American children could have investment accounts growing in their name — if only parents and families simply take advantage of this opportunity.

As a mother, I’m perpetually thinking about the long game: Am I teaching my kids the skills they’ll need as they grow? Am I instilling values that lead to success? Am I doing everything I can to set them up for happiness and prosperity? But it isn’t just parents who should be thinking about these things. The whole nation should consider what we are doing now to build a better future for those coming after us.

At the very least, every American child now has equal access to a seeded investment portfolio, regardless of race, creed, or economic status, thus creating unprecedented possibilities for tens of millions of Americans through generations to come. The clichés are real — the best time to start was yesterday, but the second-best time is now, because now is when their future starts.

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Jillian Anderson King is a former Washington Redskins Cheerleader Ambassador and ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelor in Paradise contestant. She’s a Mombassador for Moms for America, an ambassador for Turning Point and Turning Point Faith, and a proud Christian Conservative mother and wife. Jillian is also the founder of The Kings Firm, a strategic communications firm.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.