I Asked ChatGPT How To Build Wealth for the Rest of Trump’s Term: Here’s Its Plan
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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President Donald Trump is nearly a year into his last four-year term as president, and whether you’re optimistic or uneasy about what the next few years will bring, one truth remains constant: Most Americans would like to continue to better their financial picture and build wealth.
The average person doesn’t have a big portfolio to cushion volatility. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build real wealth between now and the end of Trump’s term in 2028. I asked ChatGPT to home in on the most effective ways to build wealth in the remainder of Trump’s term.
Nail the Basics Before You Chase Big Gains
The artificial intelligence pointed out that if you want to grow wealth no matter who is in office, you need strong financial foundations. That means doing “the unglamorous work first,” it said, such as controlling your spending, paying off high-interest debt and setting up an emergency fund.
It suggested you think of these as “the defensive plays that protect your future offense.” Whether a football metaphor works for you or not, you can’t argue that doing such things as eliminating 20% (or higher!) credit card interest gives you a guaranteed return that most investors would kill for.
When you automate a monthly transfer into savings or investment accounts, you set yourself up for actual success. The AI explained that financial planners often call this “paying yourself first.”
Make Your Money Work Harder Than You Do
Once your financial footing is solid, it’s time to focus on growth, ChatGPT said. The most accessible path for the average American is broad-based investing — namely in low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The S&P 500, for example, has historically averaged returns of 8% to 10% annually, despite temporary dips and political shifts.
Steadfast investing removes ineffective attempts at “timing the market” or guessing which sectors will skyrocket. In a nutshell, just invest consistently — through workplace retirement plans like a 401(k), individual IRAs or taxable brokerage accounts. If your employer matches contributions, always take advantage of that free money. If you qualify for a Roth IRA, your future withdrawals will be tax-free. Even as little as $200 per paycheck can grow meaningfully by 2028.
Protect Against Inflation and Policy Whiplash
The economy under Trump 2.0 faces plenty of challenges due to tariffs, inflation pressure and market volatility. “These conditions make diversification more crucial than ever,” ChatGPT said. A healthy portfolio shouldn’t be 100% in stocks. Bonds, Treasury funds and high-yield savings accounts are good options. Shorter-term bonds can provide safety while still earning solid yields.
Real estate, too, can help you play a long game, ChatGPT suggested. Owning property — even if it’s just your primary residence — lets you build equity and benefit from appreciation, building equity that you can use for future investing or lifestyle goals. If buying isn’t feasible, consider real estate investment trusts (REITs), which offer access to real estate markets without the headaches of being a landlord or the capital output of buying a home.
Boost Your Income While the Clock Is Ticking
Wealth isn’t only about investing existing money; it’s about creating more of it. Between now and 2028, one of the most powerful wealth-building moves you can make is to increase your earning capacity, ChatGPT said.
Look into starting a side business, freelancing or learning new skills that bump up your income. The AI gave itself a nod, as well, suggesting that AI, automation and digital entrepreneurship are offering “more accessible ways than ever to turn knowledge into income streams.” The key to making that side income work harder for you is not to treat extra earnings as “fun money” but as capital for savings, investments or debt payoff, it suggested.
Keep Uncle Sam From Taking Too Much
Taxes may not be the most exciting part of wealth building, but they’re one of the most important. “Every dollar you can legally shield from taxes is a dollar that can compound instead of disappearing,” ChatGPT said.
Use every tax-advantaged tool available to you, including 401(k) plans, IRAs, health savings accounts (HSAs) and even 529 plans for education savings. If you’re self-employed or run a side gig, learn about deductions and entity structures that can reduce your taxable income. After all, the AI pointed out, the wealthy don’t just earn more, they keep more, largely through smart tax planning.
Avoid the Traps That Wipe Out Gains
Between now and 2028, there will be plenty of investment temptations that could be too-good-to-be-true, such as meme stocks, get-rich-quick crypto coins or others sponsored by “investment” influencers. The problem isn’t just that these trends are risky; it’s that they distract from the slow, steady habits that actually build wealth.
Additionally, avoid investing too much in one area, resist lifestyle creep when you get raises and always maintain enough liquidity to cover emergencies. “Economic shifts and political headlines will come and go. The people who build lasting wealth are those who stay the course,” ChatGPT said.
A Plan for 2028
By the end of Trump’s second term, some Americans will be richer, not because they had insider advantages or market luck, but because they followed clear, time-tested principles, ChatGPT said.
“Live below your means. Invest automatically. Diversify. Increase income. Minimize taxes. Stay the course,” the AI said.
You can’t control who’s in office or what policies are set next, but you can control how you manage and grow your money.
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