:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/Ozzy-Osbourne-performing-tout-101723-eccb3f98573a48d4b0a82deec8913e8c.jpg "Ozzy Osbourne Is Working Out in the Gym to Prepare for Final Black Sabbath Show")
President Donald Trump has introduced a new plan to offer U.S. citizenship to wealthy foreigners: a gold card costing $5 million.
In a recent announcement from the Oval Office, Trump revealed that these gold cards would give holders the benefits of a Green Card, along with a pathway to U.S. citizenship. “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million,” Trump said. “It’s somewhat like a Green Card, but at a higher level of sophistication.”
Trump explained that the new program would attract wealthy individuals who will invest large sums of money, pay taxes, and create jobs in the U.S. “Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card,” Trump said. “They’ll be successful and will spend a lot of money, employ people, and contribute to the economy.”
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick later explained that this new plan would replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which allows foreign investors to apply for U.S. residency by investing in businesses that create jobs. He criticized the EB-5 program as “full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud,” calling it a way to get a Green Card at a low price.
The new “gold card” holders will be able to invest in the U.S. economy, and Trump believes it will help reduce the country’s deficit. He also predicted that the plan would attract “very high-level people” who could create jobs. Trump stated, “You’re getting big taxpayers, big job producers,” and added, “We may sell a million of these cards, maybe even more.”
During the press briefing, Trump was asked whether Russian oligarchs would be eligible for the “gold card.” He responded, “Yeah, possibly. Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs who are very nice people.”
This announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to crack down on immigration, including efforts to end birthright citizenship. Last week, an appeals court blocked the administration’s request to pause a ruling that halted the president’s executive order on the matter.
Watch the announcement in the clips below:
REPORTER: Would a Russian oligarch be eligible for a gold card?
TRUMP: Yeah, possibly. Hey. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. pic.twitter.com/alaafj3isH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2025
