Is a 50-year mortgage really that much crazier than a 30-year one?

Greg Rosalsky

November 18, 2025 / 3:30 am

Last week, President Trump caused a media frenzy after he floated the idea that the government should back the creation of a 50-year fixed mortgage.

Many commenters, including some of Trump's own supporters, hated the idea. They complained that it would result in Americans being in debt for their entire adult lives, essentially renting from a bank. They complained that this type of mortgage would explode the amount of interest homeowners would have to pay over the lifetime of their loans. They complained that borrowers would be stuck paying interest-only payments for many years and be prevented from actually paying down their principal and building equity in their homes.

"It

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