$6.25 Billion Gift for Kids May Exclude Millions, Experts Warn

A massive $6.25 billion donation to fund children's savings accounts in the U.S. could leave many low-income families behind, according to policy analysts. Billionaire philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell pledged the money to create "Trump accounts," a nickname for a proposed national program. The idea is to give every American child a savings account at birth, seeded with public funds for future education or business costs. However, experts note the current plan being discussed in Washington uses the tax system to open and fund these accounts. This design presents a major problem: families who earn too little to file federal income taxes may be automatically excluded. "This risks missing the very children who need this boost the most," said one policy researcher. "The system must be designed to include everyone, regardless of their parents' tax status." The Dell Foundation's historic donation is intended to support the program's launch if it becomes law. The foundation stated the gift aims to "ensure all children in America have the opportunity to thrive." Lawmakers now face a critical challenge: designing the program to include every child.