Trump made 1 big move in launching America’s sovereign wealth fund — but critics say it’s ‘preposterous’ and ‘unconstitutional.’ How to invest no matter who’s right

“We’re going to create a lot of wealth for the fund,” Trump told reporters that day.

While Trump has floated the idea of using “tariffs and other intelligent things” for funding, no concrete financial source has been confirmed.

The proposal has sparked both interest and criticism. Economist Peter Schiff, once a Trump supporter, slammed the idea as “preposterous” and “unconstitutional” — warning against government interference in the market.

Colin Graham of Robeco echoed these concerns, noting that sovereign wealth funds typically rely on national savings — something the U.S. lacks due to its $36.22 trillion national debt.

Skeptics argue that launching a wealth fund doesn't make sense given the country's high debt, seeing it as a sign of misplaced financial priorities.

While political leaders debate policy, savvy investors should stay focused on what they can control — building and safeguarding their wealth regardless of who’s in the White House.

Here are three simple ways to get started on building your wealth.

Others have also raised concerns about the economic feasibility of such a fund.

“The economic rules of thumb don’t add up,” said Colin Graham, head of multiasset strategies at Robeco in London. “Creating a sovereign wealth fund suggests that a country has savings that will go up and can be allocated to this.”

The U.S. government doesn’t have much in the way of savings — it has debt. As of this writing, the U.S. national debt stands at $36.22 trillion, raising concerns about whether a sovereign wealth fund is financially viable.

Whether Trump’s sovereign wealth fund becomes a game-changing wealth-generating force or faces insurmountable challenges, the responsibility falls to all Americans to take control of their own financial future. While governments debate policy, savvy investors have always prioritized building and protecting wealth — regardless of political shifts or who occupies the White House. Here’s a look at three easy ways to get started.

Warren Buffett’s No. 1 strategy for everyday investors

When it comes to building wealth, few investors have a track record as impressive as Warren Buffett.

From 1964 to 2023, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, grew in value by 4,384,748%. In 2024, Berkshire became the first U.S. company outside of the tech sector to surpass $1 trillion in market value.

Despite his legendary success in picking winning companies, Buffett doesn’t believe that’s the right approach for most investors. Instead, he champions a much simpler strategy.

“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he once famously stated.

This gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across various industries, providing diversified exposure without the constant monitoring or active trading.

Buffett believes so strongly in this strategy that he has instructed 90% of his wife’s inheritance to be invested in “a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund” after he dies.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility. It also imparts an important lesson: Small, consistent investments can make a big difference over time.

Investment tools like Acorns take advantage of this approach by automatically investing your spare change at checkout.

How Acorns works is simple: Link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference into a diversified portfolio.

With Acorns, you can invest in Buffett’s top pick for most investors, an S&P 500 ETF, with as little as $5. Even better, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

Trump’s towering fortune: real estate as an investment tool

Real estate has been another powerful vehicle for long-term financial growth, and it’s a strategy that Trump himself knows well.

Long before he entered politics, Trump built his fortune through high-profile real estate ventures, from luxury developments to commercial properties. Trump is estimated to be worth $7.5 billion, including cash and assets, according to Nasdaq.

Investors gravitate toward real estate for good reason. Well-chosen properties can generate passive income through rent while potentially appreciating in value over time.

Additionally, real estate can serve as a hedge against inflation. When materials, labor and land costs rise, property values often follow suit. In turn, rent tends to increase, allowing landlords to offset the impact of inflation.

The best part? These days, you don’t need to be a real estate mogul like Trump to take advantage of this strategy.

Platforms like First National Realty Partners (FNRP) help accredited investors own part of institutional-quality, grocery-anchored properties without the hassle of finding and managing properties themselves.

FNRP leases to national brands like Whole Foods, CVS, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net leases, investors can collect grocery store-anchored income without worrying about tenant costs cutting into the bottom line.

Schiff’s safe haven: why gold still shines

For investors looking to add stability to their portfolios, gold remains a time-tested option.