Full Breakdown
President Donald Trump Rings NYSE and Nasdaq Opening Bell in Oval Office, Launches Child Investment Accounts
7/6/2026, 9:12:51 PM
Opening Bell and Child Account Launch
On Monday, July 4, 2026, President Donald Trump rang the opening bells of the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq from his desk in the Oval Office. The ceremony, part of a Fourth-of-July address marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, introduced “Trump Accounts,” a savings vehicle for children.
Funding Structure
The Treasury will deposit $1,000 of government money into each account for children born between 2025 and 2028. The Dell Foundation will add $250 to accounts of children under ten born in 2024 or earlier, and many private companies are also contributing to accounts opened by employees for their children. Trump said the combined contributions total $800 million in new capital for children’s investments this week. All contributions will be placed in a low-cost State Street-managed index fund, ticker SPYM, which tracks the performance of the market’s largest companies. Fund managers collect fees, but SPYM is considered one of the lowest-cost options of its kind. The Treasury has selected four additional low-cost funds that parents will be able to choose later.
Economic Significance
By allocating contributions to SPYM, children’s accounts will track broad market returns while keeping fees low. The program provides a mechanism for children to own shares in a diversified fund, aligning with Trump’s long-standing emphasis on stock-market performance as an indicator of national prosperity.
Official Statements
President Trump described the accounts as a way for families to “give children a good life, very early on.” Senator Ted Cruz congratulated the children present and highlighted the Dell Foundation’s $250 contribution as an example of corporate support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Between individual contributions and the seed funds, $800 million in new capital will be invested in the stock market for America's children this week,” — Donald Trump, President
- “You now own a little bit of McDonald's. When you go to McDonald's you can look around and say, 'I own this place!'” — Donald Trump, President
- “You mean the bell that I'm not giving back?” — Donald Trump, President
- “It's really not costing us anything,” — Donald Trump, President
- “We're giving this money to children so they can have a good life, very early on, they can have a good life.” — Donald Trump, President
Upcoming Actions
The Treasury will release the four additional low-cost fund options in the coming weeks, and private firms continue to contribute to the accounts.
