Trump's Bizarre Baby Incentive Has People Drawing Terrifying Parallels

One of Donald Trump's proposed and bizarre baby incentives to help "combat" the declining birthrate in the United States has sparked some seriously eerie comparisons online.

According to a March report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. total fertility rate has fallen from 2.1 births per woman in 1990, which is the rate needed to fully replace the population, to just 1.62 births per woman in 2023.

In response, several groups have reportedly pitched a variety of ideas aimed at reversing the nation's shrinking population, an issue that has politicians increasingly worried about its long-term effects on the economy and the social safety net.

But what exactly are these new baby incentive ideas, and why are so many people disturbed by them?

For some context, The New York Times reports that the proposals include offering a $5,000 "baby bonus" for new mothers, awarding a "Motherhood Medal" to women who have six or more children, expanding child tax credits, funding menstrual cycle education programs, and reserving 30 percent of Fulbright scholarships specifically for individuals who are married or have children.

These ideas are part of a broader movement concerned with falling birthrates, a cause that figures like Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk, who has fathered 13 children with three different women and is rumored to have had a 14th child with author Ashley St. Clair, have been vocal about.

After these reports surfaced, many could not help but draw unsettling comparisons between the baby incentive plans and the world depicted in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, later adapted into a hit TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale.

The story centers on a woman named June, who lives under "Gilead," a totalitarian regime that has replaced the United States. Set in a near future where widespread infertility plagues the population, fertile women are enslaved as "handmaids" and forced to bear children for the ruling class.

People made a number of parallels between The Handmaid's Tale and Trump's baby incentives

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The show also explores a range of themes, including gender hierarchy, gender roles, reproductive freedom (or the lack of it), fertility struggles, religion and theocracy, identity, freedom, rebellion, and survival, just to name a few.

One social media user wrote: "Trump’s baby incentives are reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale."$5K first-time child credits, IVF expansions, medals for 6+ kids? That’s not support; it’s state-sanctioned breeding. If you restrict abortion and reward fertility, you’re not pro-family. You’re pro-control."Blessed be the fruit, huh?"They added in a follow-up comment: "And just to add, the concern isn’t about helping families. It’s about who gets the help and why."When support is only for married moms having their first kid, and when a 'Motherhood Medal' is only for women who have six or more kids AND are married, that’s not inclusive. That's incentivizing a specific kind of motherhood."Meanwhile, there’s no push for universal childcare, paid leave, or support for single moms, LGBTQ+ parents, or people who can’t have children. Support should uplift everyone."A second user echoed the sentiment, writing: "Blessed be the fruit... we are now at The Handmaid's Tale portion of this dumpster fire."And a final social media user wondered: "Is he going to pay for their healthcare, education, put a roof over their heads (paying taxes and insurance that goes with home ownership), and let's not forget feeding them until they leave the nest? Uhm, yeah, no thank you."

Historical Context and Implications

Social commentators have drawn parallels between Trump's baby incentives and dystopian narratives, particularly highlighting comparisons to Margaret Atwood’s 'The Handmaid’s Tale.' Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert and educator, notes that such policies can evoke deep-seated fears about autonomy and reproductive rights.

She explains that coercive measures regarding reproduction often arise in societies grappling with demographic crises, presenting ethical dilemmas. Solomon emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment that supports families through accessible childcare and parental leave rather than incentivizing birth in potentially coercive ways.

Trump, who has five children with three different women, has regularly preached "nuclear family values"

Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty Images

It is important to note that Trump, who has previously dubbed himself the "fertilization president" and has five children with three different women, has long promoted the concept of a "nuclear family" as part of his broader push to spark a "baby boom."

Project 2025, the policy blueprint that has outlined much of the 78-year-old Republican’s agenda so far, places family issues at the forefront. The first chapter opens with a promise to "restore the family as the centerpiece of American life."

The Times explains that much of the movement is shaped around promoting a very specific idea of what constitutes a family, focusing on marriage between a man and a woman. It notably excludes many families that do not conform to traditional gender roles or family structures.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump, who has described himself as "the most pro-life president in American history," is proudly implementing policies to uplift American families."

"The President wants America to be a country where all children can safely grow up and achieve the American dream," she added. "As a mother myself, I am proud to work for a president who is taking significant action to leave a better country for the next generation."

Experts in family dynamics stress that financial stability is crucial for encouraging higher birth rates. Dr. Penelope Leach, a renowned child psychologist, argues that parents are more likely to have children when they feel secure in their economic situation.

Leach recommends that policies aimed at improving financial security—like affordable housing and comprehensive healthcare—can create a supportive environment for raising children. By addressing these foundational issues, society can tackle declining birth rates more effectively than through controversial incentives.

Professional Assessment & Guidance

In addressing the declining birthrate in the U.S., it’s essential to focus on holistic approaches rather than controversial incentives. Experts suggest that creating family-supportive policies, such as paid family leave and accessible childcare, can empower potential parents to make informed decisions about family planning.

As Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a respected pediatrician, emphasizes, nurturing environments contribute significantly to child development and family well-being. Policymakers should prioritize these aspects to foster a culture that naturally encourages family growth, rather than relying on incentives that may provoke ethical concerns.