America’s strength has always come from its families. But today, a quiet crisis threatens our future: too few Americans are having children. More than just a demographic issue, this is quickly becoming a national emergency. America’s declining fertility rate endangers our economic vitality, social stability, and generational continuity.
President Donald Trump is taking bold action to reverse this trend and revitalize the American family. He has made our falling birth rate a central issue, plainly declaring, “We need more American babies.” The White House Domestic Policy Council is now actively developing concrete strategies to encourage family growth and make it easier for Americans to welcome children into their homes.
U.S. fertility rates are as alarming as they are undeniable. In 2023, the U.S. fertility rate dropped to 1.62 births per woman, far below the replacement rate of 2.1. The last time America met replacement-level fertility was in 2007. Since then, we’ve plunged into a steep demographic freefall.
This decline carries devastating consequences. It leads to a shrinking workforce, skyrocketing healthcare demands, and ballooning entitlement costs, all while an aging population strains national resources. Put simply, without children, a nation forfeits its future.
Globally, many industrialized nations are grappling with similar challenges. Hungary’s government offers tax breaks for large families, debt forgiveness for mothers, and grants for home purchases. Poland funds fertility clinics. South Korea, despite lavish subsidies, still struggles, showing that money alone isn’t enough.
The lesson? There’s no silver bullet – but targeted, sustained action matters. America can learn from these examples while charting our own course.
Democrats favor simply throwing open the border and letting in millions of people to sustain our population. But that strategy is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole, and the Biden years proved that it has its own set of disastrous consequences.
President Trump has discussed certain policy changes to ignite a new era of American family growth. Among these is a one-time $5,000 “baby bonus” for new mothers, intended to alleviate some of the immediate financial burdens associated with childbirth.
A significant component of President Trump’s strategy also involves expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). In February, he signed an executive order to find policy recommendations to protect IVF access and reduce costs for hopeful parents.
IVF remains controversial, particularly among religious Americans who have legitimate concerns about moral and ethical standards in the industry. But what is undeniable is that Trump believes family formation matters, and that national policy should reflect that.
The administration is also considering reserving 30 percent of Fulbright scholarships for married applicants or those with children, aiming to promote family formation among scholars and to open up more educational opportunities for parents. Other proposals include government-funded programs to educate women on ovulation patterns and reproductive health, as well as symbolic recognitions like a “National Medal of Motherhood” for women raising six or more children.
In Congress, House Republicans recently passed their “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which increases the Child Tax Credit. This reform sends a powerful signal: raising children isn’t just a personal sacrifice, it’s a public good, and it deserves meaningful support.
The Trump administration is also tackling the economic pressures that make raising a family difficult. From lowering housing costs and expanding paid parental leave to championing school choice and restoring tax benefits for married couples, the administration is removing the barriers that discourage Americans from having children. The goal is to build a society that rewards responsibility, values commitment, and empowers families to thrive.
Tax reforms and policy shifts are important steps, but the deeper, more urgent challenge lies in transforming American culture. For too long, society has treated children as a burden rather than a blessing. Popular media glamorizes the child-free lifestyle while mocking traditional families and the joys of parenthood.
The Trump administration understands that winning this battle requires more than legislation – it requires changing hearts and minds. That’s why it is wielding the soft power of public influence to restore the cultural value of family.
And it’s not just talk; the administration is leading by example. Vice President J.D. Vance is often seen with his children by his side, demonstrating that raising a family is not a barrier to leadership; it’s a vital part of it. Elon Musk has appeared at the White House with his young son on his shoulders, and Trump himself often mentions his youngest son, Barron.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, balancing the demands of one of the country’s toughest jobs while caring for her child, who was born during the campaign last year, is also an inspiration for women and men to see parenthood as a strength, not a sacrifice.
President Trump has reshaped the American political landscape. Now he has a chance to reshape the nation’s demographic future. His call for more babies is a policy imperative and a needed culture shift.
Reversing America’s baby bust won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen without courage. But with the right leadership and right ideas, we can build a country that’s proud to raise the next generation.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A nation that is not built on thriving families is a nation that won’t last. But a nation that believes in family and invests in the future can achieve anything.
W.J. Lee has served in the White House, NASA, on multiple political campaigns, and in nearly all levels of government. In his free time, he enjoys the “three R’s” – reading, running, and writing.
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