Trump signed an executive order directing officials to create a sovereign wealth fund for the U.S. But the U.S. is $36.5 trillion in debt. Doesn't it make sense to pay that debt off first, as it's a guaranteed return? Otherwise, the sovereign wealth fund will be highly leveraged.
— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) February 3, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ordering the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to create a sovereign wealth fund and said it may purchase TikTok.
“We’re going to stand this thing up within the next 12 months. We’re going to monetize the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet for the American people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters. “There’ll be a combination of liquid assets, assets that we have in this country as we work to bring them out for the American people.”
Trump had previously floated such a government investment vehicle as a presidential candidate, saying it could fund “great national endeavors” like infrastructure projects such as highways and airports, manufacturing, and medical research.