"There's something grimly on brand about Donald Trump and the second Trump administration looking at the process of obtaining visas and the road toward U.S. citizenship-a tentpole of American democracy-and reducing it solely toward equating the best candidates with the ones most able to pay million-dollar fees. Such is the cynical graft that forms Trump's previously hyped "Gold Card" to attract exclusively wealthy foreign individuals, which the helpfully labeled new "official website of the United States government" does indeed call "The Trump Gold Card.""
"On Wednesday, Trump officially unveiled not only the Gold Card and its official website (complete with A.I. eagles), but also the so-called Platinum Card, which is the choice for discerning, shady foreign businessmen everywhere who would prefer the U.S. not root around in their finances. The standard Gold Card will require applicants to "gift" $1 million to the U.S. Treasury, while corporate-sponsored applicants need to contribute $2 million for the individual."
"One is always tempted, with these Trump concepts, to assume that surely these are just colloquial terms; that the program has a real name, one with dignity, and that something like "Trump Gold Card" is just a nickname for public fascination and FOX News hosts to repeat. But no, these things always end up being as painfully, bluntly literal as possible."
The Trump administration unveiled a branded, paid immigration pathway labeled the Gold Card and a higher-tier Platinum Card that prioritize wealthy applicants. The Gold Card requires individuals to "gift" $1 million to the U.S. Treasury, with corporate-sponsored applicants providing $2 million per individual. The Platinum Card demands a $5 million "gift" and promises expanded U.S. stays. The program equates access to visas and paths toward citizenship with the ability to pay substantial sums, creating a pay-to-play model. The rollout features ostentatious branding and site elements, and critics highlight reduced scrutiny for high-dollar applicants.
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