Report: Raising a Child Now Costs Over $300,000, Fox News Addresses the Issue

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:53:00 +0200

A recent study from LendingTree reveals a staggering increase in the cost of raising a child in the United States, now exceeding $300,000 over 18 years. During a recent episode of “Fox & Friends,” co-host Ainsley Earhardt highlighted this financial burden, listing numerous often-overlooked expenses, from clothing and school supplies to sports equipment and private school tuition. Earhardt, a mother herself, emphasized how parenting necessitates shifting spending priorities away from personal needs. While acknowledging the high cost, the show then pivoted to discuss President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” specifically mentioning the 'Trump Accounts'—savings accounts of $1,000 provided to newborns. This shift has drawn criticism, with some viewing it as a branding strategy designed to soften the negative perception of the bill's more controversial aspects, such as Medicaid cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) characterized the accounts