Trump’s 50-year mortgage just introduces a new kind of debt

The montage of the American Dream begins with a front door and a mortgage. President Donald Trump is correct to say that the dream is slipping out of reach for too many families. Home prices have skyrocketed, mortgage rates have doubled since 2021, and young Americans are finding it more challenging than ever to buy a home and put down roots.

So it’s no surprise that the administration is exploring new ways to "make housing affordable again." One of those ideas, a 50-year fixed-rate mortgage, promises smaller monthly payments by stretching out the life of the loan.

But the problem isn’t the rates or lengths of mortgages; it’s the cost of the house.