Morning Business Report: ‘Trump homes’ proposal, market slide, and Walmart crosses $1 trillion

Builders are drafting plans for a massive new housing initiative aimed at easing the U.S. affordability crisis by developing so-called “Trump Homes.”

(LILAMAX)- Builders are drafting plans for a massive new housing initiative aimed at easing the U.S. affordability crisis by developing so-called “Trump Homes.” The proposal would sell entry-level houses through a pathway-to-ownership model funded by private investors. Under the plan, tenants’ monthly payments would count toward a down payment after three years. Supporters say the goal is to build as many as one million homes, representing more than $250 billion in new housing supply.

The housing push comes as Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday afternoon to end the partial federal government shutdown, just hours after it narrowly passed the House. The measure funds a range of federal agencies through the remainder of the fiscal year. However, negotiations are far from over—Trump and congressional Democrats have roughly 10 days to reach a separate agreement before regular funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires.

Markets moved sharply Tuesday, with much of the action to the downside. Stocks fell broadly, led by declines in major technology shares. Bitcoin dropped to its lowest level since November 2024. At the same time, gold and oil prices climbed as geopolitical tensions involving Iran pushed investors toward traditional safe havens.

In corporate news, Walmart surpassed a $1 trillion market valuation for the first time. Analysts attribute much of the milestone to the retailer’s aggressive technology strategy, including expanded use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations and introduce new AI-enabled shopping tools. The shift has helped Walmart attract higher-income shoppers looking for value and convenience.

Meanwhile, a new survey suggests Americans are focusing their New Year’s resolutions on their homes rather than personal habits. A poll of 2,000 U.S. homeowners found 43% completed renovations within the past year, while another 32% already have renovation plans for 2026. The survey—commissioned by TAMKO and conducted by Talker Research—also found nearly one in four homeowners plan to re-roof their homes within the next year.