A senior Trump administration official said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s controversial idea of offering 50-year mortgages has not been shelved and remains under consideration as the White House explores ways to make homeownership more affordable for Americans.
Speaking on Fox & Friends Weekend, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner was pressed by host Griff Jenkins about whether the administration is seriously weighing longer mortgage products, including the widely criticized 50-year option.
Jenkins noted that many Americans are eager for details as housing costs remain high and asked whether the administration is considering unconventional ideas such as extended mortgage terms or easing zoning restrictions to bring prices down. Turner did not offer firm commitments but emphasized that a range of proposals is being discussed.
Turner said there are “a myriad of ideas” on the table, ranging from mortgage structures and interest rates to cutting red tape and burdensome regulations. He pointed to what he described as positive developments already underway, noting that HUD has helped more than one million first-time homebuyers this year alone through Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae programs. Turner encouraged Americans, particularly first-time buyers, to explore those options while the administration continues reviewing broader reforms.
Jenkins returned directly to the 50-year mortgage proposal, calling it an “out-of-the-box idea” and noting that critics have warned it could trap younger buyers into decades of interest payments. He asked whether Turner believed such a product could realistically work for American families.
Turner remained noncommittal but made clear the concept has not been ruled out. He said it is still early and that more research is needed, stressing that HUD’s priority is maintaining a stable and secure housing market. Turner added that any mortgage products backed by taxpayers through FHA or Ginnie Mae must be safe and sustainable.
According to Turner, the 50-year mortgage and other ideas floated publicly are still being discussed internally. He said the final decision will rest with President Donald Trump and senior administration leaders, who will determine what path best balances affordability with long-term stability.
The proposal sparked intense criticism across the political spectrum when Trump first mentioned it in early November. Critics argued that while a longer mortgage term might lower monthly payments, it would dramatically increase the total amount of interest paid over time.
Fox Business host Charles Payne illustrated the concern using the example of a $400,000 home. Payne said a buyer would pay roughly $359,000 in interest over the life of a traditional 30-year mortgage, compared with nearly $700,000 in interest on a 50-year loan. Payne called the difference “gargantuan” and argued that stretching out loans simply to lower monthly payments is not a responsible solution.
The idea also reportedly triggered internal backlash within the administration. Politico reported that the proposal caused a firestorm inside the West Wing, with unnamed officials expressing anger toward Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director who first pitched the concept to Trump.
Despite the criticism, Turner’s comments made clear that the administration has not taken the idea off the table. As housing affordability continues to dominate political and economic discussions, Trump’s team appears determined to keep exploring unconventional options, even as skeptics warn about the long-term costs for American homeowners.
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