In a move that has stirred debate among his supporters, President Donald Trump has expressed support for a 50-year mortgage plan, an initiative put forth by Federal Housing Finance Director Bill Pulte. The president, on November 9, shared a visual comparison of housing policies from his administration and that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, highlighting the shift from a 30-year to a 50-year mortgage framework. The announcement arrives as a follow-up to an event held in August 2024, where President Trump criticized the increase in mortgage costs under the Biden administration, declaring it detrimental to the aspirations of young Americans.
The president's backing of the extended mortgage term has led to a significant backlash from his MAGA base. Critics argue that while monthly payments might be lower under the 50-year plan, it would lead to homeowners paying substantially more in interest over the extended period. This mortgage model is not a new concept in the United States. In 2006, California introduced a similar 50-year mortgage plan aimed at addressing the soaring housing costs and creeping interest rates at the time.
According to data from 2025, the national average price for a single-family home has seen an approximate 2% increase from the previous year, reaching a median price of $426,800. Amid an unstable economy, President Trump's measure is seen as an attempt to facilitate home ownership for Americans, potentially counteracting the policies of the preceding administration.
However, the conservative response on social media has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment in the president's proposal. Political commentator Chris Stigall, a known Trump supporter, defended the president's broader record but criticized the 50-year mortgage plan, stressing the importance of freedom, opportunity, and faith in the free market for the younger generation.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also voiced her opposition, suggesting that the plan would disproportionately benefit banks, mortgage lenders, and home builders, while leaving Americans burdened with debt. A Daily Mail article even quoted an insider who deemed Pulte's proposal as "moronic" and speculated on the housing director's future within the administration.
In a recent interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, President Trump addressed the dissent, downplaying the criticism and emphasizing the plan's intent to reduce monthly payments, albeit over a longer term. This defense underscores the administration's stance on finding solutions to the national housing affordability crisis, even as it faces opposition from within its ranks.
