Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson pledged to seek an additional $1,000 state contribution for Georgia children who qualify for the federal Trump Accounts seed deposit, potentially doubling their initial investment to $2,000.
Jackson announced the proposal July 22 at Wheeler High School in Marietta, where President Donald Trump promoted the child investment program. An 11Alive video report highlighted Jackson’s call for Georgia to match the federal contribution.
Jackson said he expects state lawmakers to approve the money but offered a personal fallback. “If they don’t, I will personally donate it myself,” he said, according to an Associated Press live update. Jackson, who spent part of his childhood in foster care, said receiving a $100 Christmas gift in an orphanage changed his life.
Under Internal Revenue Service eligibility rules, Trump Accounts may be opened for children under 18 who have valid Social Security numbers. The one-time $1,000 federal deposit is limited to U.S. citizen children born from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028.
Families, employers and other eligible contributors may add money to the accounts, which invest in qualifying funds and are intended to build wealth over time. The federal government provides only one $1,000 pilot contribution for each qualifying child.
Georgia has already arranged for eligible foster children to be enrolled automatically. Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said those accounts will track a stock index and become available for withdrawal when the beneficiary turns 18.
Jackson’s announcement did not include an estimated state cost, a proposed funding source or details explaining how a privately financed fallback would operate. His plan depends on support from the General Assembly after the next governor takes office. Jackson faces Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.
