Trump say U.S. can pay off $36 trillion debt by selling $5 million "gold card" visas

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Former President Donald Trump’s newly floated idea — selling a $5 million fast-track visa to wealthy foreigners — has ignited a wave of criticism and skepticism across social platforms, where users are questioning both the math and the motives behind the proposal. According to Trump, the plan would help bring in revenue and attract “high-value” immigrants. But online, the reaction has been overwhelmingly skeptical, with many calling it a bribe, a grift, or another attempt to monetize public office. The Central Claim Trump suggested that the U.S. could significantly reduce the national debt by selling millions of $5 million visas to wealthy individuals around the world. But the numbers raised immediate eyebrows: There are an estimated 8–14 million millionaires globally, depending on the definition and data source. Many of them already live in the United States. Very few would trade a large percentage of their net worth for a visa—especially when cheaper and more flexible investment-based residency options already exist. For Trump’s math to work, critics note, the U.S. would need nearly 7.2 million buyers, which exceeds the total number of non-U.S. individuals with enough liquidity to spend $5 million outright. Concerns About Corruption and National Security Many commenters saw the proposal as a form of political pay-to-play, blurring lines between U.S. immigration policy and personal enrichment: Some accused Trump of essentially declaring that the presidency is “for sale.” Others warned this would create a new form of legalized bribery, allowing foreign oligarchs or hostile-state actors to buy influence. Security experts have previously warned that high-value residency programs in other countries have been used for money laundering, sanctions evasion, and foreign infiltration. Would Wealthy Immigrants Even Want This? Critics also argued the plan misunderstands how wealthy people behave: A person worth $5 million rarely has that much liquid cash, and would not spend their entire net worth on a visa. Individuals with $20–50 million (the group who could afford it) often already have access to U.S. tourist visas, global mobility, or citizenship-by-investment options abroad for a fraction of the price. Several commenters pointed out that many affluent people now view the U.S. as less attractive, citing political instability, weaker social safety nets, and high gun violence. In short: for the wealthy, the U.S. is no longer the “obvious upgrade.” Impact on Immigration and Social Tension Some argued that replacing poor immigrants with wealthy ones would: Inflame class resentment, Increase racial tensions, Further entrench the idea that money = value, And accelerate the trend of treating immigration as a commodity instead of a humanitarian or economic policy.