Donald Trump on home ownership: “People that own their homes — we’re gonna keep them wealthy. We’re gonna keep those prices up. We’re not gonna destroy the value of their homes, so that somebody that didn’t work very hard can buy a home. […] I don’t want to drive housing prices down, I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes.”

During a **Cabinet meeting** on Thursday, President Donald Trump declared his intention to maintain elevated housing prices to protect the wealth of current homeowners, pushing back against calls to drive down costs amid a persistent affordability crisis.

“People that own their homes — we’re gonna keep them wealthy. We’re gonna keep those prices up,” Trump said. “We’re not gonna destroy the value of their homes, so that somebody that didn’t work very hard can buy a home.”

He added: “I don’t want to drive housing prices down, I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes. And they can be assured that’s what’s going to happen.”

The remarks came as the administration has promoted recent efforts to improve affordability, including directives to limit large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes and steps to lower mortgage rates through federal entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Trump emphasized making buying “easier” via lower interest rates while safeguarding equity for existing owners.

Critics quickly seized on the comments, arguing they overlook millions of first-time buyers and younger Americans priced out of the market.

Supporters, however, viewed the stance as a defense of property values built through hard work.

The president’s statements highlight a balancing act in his housing agenda: boosting access without eroding gains for those already in the market.

Housing remains a top voter concern, with recent data showing mixed signals on sales and affordability despite falling borrowing costs.