Former President Donald Trump has announced a series of domestic policy initiatives aimed at addressing housing affordability and providing financial relief to American households. He stated that he is directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower mortgage rates and monthly payments. Trump claims this initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore affordability, which he attributes to the policies of the previous administration. He criticized the Biden administration for allegedly neglecting the housing market while focusing on other issues such as crime and inflation.

Financial analysts have indicated that increasing the retained portfolios of these government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) could lead to a decrease in mortgage rates. For instance, David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, noted that such a move could lower rates by at least a quarter of a point. Citigroup projected that an expansion of Fannie and Freddie's portfolios by $250 billion could similarly reduce mortgage bond premiums and rates.

In addition to this, Trump has proposed prohibiting institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, framing this as a coordinated effort to enhance housing affordability. Further details on his affordability platform are expected to be shared at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later in January.

In a separate initiative, Trump discussed potential dividend checks for Americans, suggesting they could be financed through revenue generated from tariffs. He indicated that these payments could be issued by the end of the year without congressional approval, although details regarding the timing and distribution remain unclear. Surveys show that many Americans support this proposal, particularly in light of rising living costs. However, some officials within the administration have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of funding such payments through tariffs, with experts estimating that the required revenue could far exceed what tariffs would generate.

Trump also criticized President Joe Biden's impact on older Americans during a recent interview, stating, "I think Joe Biden is the worst thing that ever happened to old people." He emphasized the importance of health for individuals in presidential roles, asserting that leaders should be in good health and cognitively capable.

Additionally, Trump's recent actions have raised concerns regarding the legality of his early disclosure of employment data. He posted on Truth Social about an increase in private sector payrolls, which appeared to contravene established policies prohibiting executive branch officials from commenting on such data before its official release. A White House official acknowledged the inadvertent disclosure and stated that the administration is reviewing its protocols regarding economic data releases. This incident has drawn criticism and highlights ongoing tensions surrounding transparency and the management of economic information.