What Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential win means for American mothers and families

Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election, securing 277 electoral college votes, returning to the White House as the 47th president of the United States. For many, this election outcome raises strong emotions and varied reactions across the nation. As families adjust to the news, Trump’s second term will bring policies and priorities that could shape a new chapter in American family life, impacting healthcare, education, and the economy.

With this shift, here’s a closer look at what his administration’s policies might mean for mothers, parents, and families.

Key policies and their potential impact on families

Child tax credit

This election has seen unprecedented discussion around the child tax credit, widely supported across party lines to help lift families out of poverty. Currently, the credit provides $2,000 per child under 17, but it’s reduced for families who pay lower tax bills  (and are typically lower income) and excludes parents who aren’t in the workforce.

In his previous term, Trump doubled the child tax credit, and his 2024 campaign has hinted at a potential increase. Vice President JD Vance, suggested on Face the Nation that raising the credit to $5,000 could allow more parents to stay home with their children, though some Republicans are cautious about extending the benefit to non-working parents.

Access to affordable childcare

Women bear the majority of unpaid caregiving responsibilities in the U.S., handling two-thirds of this labor—work valued at $1 trillion annually. This caregiving burden intensifies when families struggle to find affordable care for children or aging parents, and with child care costs rising faster than inflation, the issue is more urgent than ever.

Despite this, Trump’s current platform has offered few solutions to the child care crisis. During the June presidential debate, when CNN moderator Jake Tapper twice asked Trump how he would lower child care costs, Trump pivoted to other topics, leaving the question unanswered. His campaign platform similarly lacks details on this issue.

This is a shift from his first campaign, when Trump proposed paid parental leave, although the plan excluded fathers. In office, Trump sought $1 billion for child care programs and a national parental leave policy, influenced by his daughter and policy adviser, Ivanka Trump. While Congress rejected these proposals, Trump did succeed in doubling the child tax credit and establishing paid leave for federal employees.

In his 2019 State of the Union address, Trump expressed pride in being “the first president to include in my budget a plan for nationwide paid family leave, so that every new parent has the chance to bond with their newborn child.”

However, there are signals from his current administration that family-focused policies may not be as prominent this time around. Vice President JD Vance has a record of opposing expanded child care support. In a 2021 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Vance argued against investing in child care subsidies, suggesting that supporting more stay-at-home mothers might be beneficial for families—even if it results in fewer women participating in the workforce.

Healthcare access

In-vitro fertilization (IVF)

Trump has proposed covering in vitro fertilization (IVF) costs, either through government funds or required insurer coverage. This policy could provide relief for families facing high fertility treatment costs, which can average $15,000 to $30,000 per cycle, though some within his party question the financial feasibility.

Abortion

President Trump has maintained that “abortion rights should be left to the states,” reports CNN. While Trump has not taken a firm stance on vetoing or supporting a national abortion ban, there is growing concern among advocates that conservatives may push for such a measure.

In states with strict abortion restrictions, doctors face uncertainty about how to define a “medical emergency,” leaving them hesitant to provide timely care. This ambiguity has led to delays in treatment for women experiencing early miscarriage symptoms, as physicians fear potential prosecution if their actions are interpreted as performing an abortion.

Abortion rights measures won in seven states, with Montana being the latest to pass a protective measure by early Wednesday. Meanwhile, voters in three states—Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota—rejected measures that would have created a constitutional right to abortion.

Maternal health

During his previous term, President Trump signed legislation granting up to 12 weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave to federal employees for birth, adoption, or fostering, though it excluded caregiving leave for sick relatives and did not extend to private-sector workers. Additionally, he enacted a 2018 law providing $50 million in grants to states to establish maternal mortality review committees, aiming to improve understanding of maternal health complications and prevent maternal health issues.

However, as of now, his current campaign platform and Agenda47 do not explicitly address maternal health issues.

Support for family caregivers

In his second term, President Donald Trump claims to plan to introduce a tax credit aimed at supporting family caregivers. Announced during his October 27 rally, the proposal would reduce tax burdens for those providing in-home care to aging relatives or loved ones with health needs.

Unlike more expansive approaches like Harris’s proposed Medicare coverage for in-home care, Trump’s tax credit provides targeted financial relief without expanding federal healthcare programs. Although few details have been provided, this tax credit reflects the essential role family caregivers play, offering some financial support for those balancing the demands of home-based care.

Economic policies

Tax cuts and inflation control

Trump’s economic plan emphasizes job creation, inflation control, and tax cuts aimed at middle- and working-class families, promising a “big cut for middle class, upper class, lower class, [and] business class.” However, specific details on how this new tax cut would be structured remain forthcoming.

The platform proposes “no tax on tips,” which could increase take-home pay for some families. (An analysis by Ernie Tedeschi at the Yale Budget Lab found that 2.5% of workers are in tipped jobs, including 5% of workers in the bottom quarter of earners.) Additionally, Trump plans to “end inflation, and make America affordable again,” focusing on economic stability to ease financial pressures on households. Economic analysts have expressed mixed views on how Trump’s economic policies would benefit the economy.

Baby bonuses

President Trump has suggested a “baby bonus” to help encourage a new baby boom, though he didn’t specify how this would work.

Housing affordability

Trump has pledged to remove certain regulations on new home construction to reduce costs, though he has not specified which regulations he aims to eliminate. His Agenda47 platform also highlights plans to “promote homeownership through tax incentives and support for first-time buyers,” signaling a continued focus on making homeownership more accessible.

Education and school choice

One of Trump’s central goals is to expand school choice, which would allow families to use public funds to enroll their children in private or charter schools if they feel these schools better meet their needs. This could offer more options for parents looking for early learning programs that align with their values and expectations.

Trump’s administration has voiced opposition to incorporating what he describes as “radical gender ideology” or “critical race theory” in classrooms, vowing to restrict federal funding for schools that teach these topics. While this primarily impacts K-12 education, it could set a precedent for curriculum standards that may influence early childhood education as well.

President Trump pledged to allow homeschool parents to use 529 education savings accounts to spend up to $10,000 a year per child, completely tax-free to spend on costs associated with homeschool education. President Trump will also work to ensure that every homeschool family is entitled to full access to the benefits available to non-homeschooled students—including participating in athletic programs, clubs, after school activities, educational trips, and more.

The bottom line

As Trump begins his second term, families across the country will be watching closely to see how his policies unfold. With a stated focus on economic stability, educational options, and targeted healthcare initiatives, his platform brings both opportunities and questions for American families. Staying informed and engaged will be essential as these policies evolve, helping mothers, fathers, and caregivers navigate this new chapter in ways that best support their families and communities.

Sources:

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2. President Trump’s Plan to Save American Education. 2023. Archive. President Trump’s Plan to Save American Education and Give Power Back to Parents.
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