Leaders | Baby brain

Why MAGA’s pro-natalist plans are ill-conceived

Efforts to deliver a baby boom either fail or cost a fortune

Newborn baby girl yawning in a hospital cot
Photograph: Alamy
|4 min read

America’s politicians have babies on the brain. In February President Donald Trump told officials to make ivf cheaper. Even without its procreator-in-chief, Elon Musk, the White House is thought to be working on a bigger package of pro-natalist policies. Vice-President J.D. Vance is keen. Mr Trump says he favours a $5,000 handout for new parents. In Britain, meanwhile, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, a MAGA-ish opposition party, has proposed tax breaks and benefits to encourage women to have more children.

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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Babies on the brain ”

From the June 21st 2025 edition

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