As gold touches record highs, former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore used a national television appearance to link the metal’s rise with policy uncertainty and energy choices. Speaking on Varney & Co., he weighed in on visa fees, so-called golden visas, and why natural gas and nuclear power may anchor the country’s energy future.
The discussion comes as investors seek safety, business groups watch immigration rules, and utilities plan long-term power supply. The stakes reach into household budgets, hiring, and the cost of electricity.
Why Gold Is Rallying
Gold tends to rise when investors worry about inflation, debt, or geopolitical risk. Market watchers often treat it as a hedge when confidence in currencies wanes. Moore connected recent gains to a broader sense of unease over policy and fiscal direction.
Analysts widely cite a mix of drivers:
- Sticky inflation and the path of interest rates
- Large government deficits and debt loads
- Geopolitical risks that push investors into safe assets
While some see the run-up as a warning sign, others argue it reflects diversification rather than panic. The split matters for savers, commodity producers, and central banks that hold gold reserves.
Debate Over H-1B Visa Fees
Moore addressed President Donald Trump’s H-1B visa fee policy, a flashpoint for the tech sector and employers that rely on high-skilled foreign workers. Supporters of higher fees say they protect U.S. workers and curb misuse of the program. Critics warn they raise hiring costs and slow innovation.
Business associations argue that tight labor markets make specialized talent hard to find. Labor advocates counter that companies should invest more in training and domestic recruitment. The design of any fee—its size, timing, and exemptions—can shift the balance for startups and multinationals alike.
Golden visas, which exchange investment for residency, drew similar scrutiny. Backers see a channel for capital inflows and job creation. Opponents warn about money laundering risks and housing pressures in hot markets. Several countries have tightened programs in recent years to address those concerns.
Energy Choices: Gas and Nuclear
Moore argued that natural gas and nuclear power can supply dependable, lower-carbon energy at scale. Natural gas plants can ramp quickly and have helped cut emissions by displacing coal. Nuclear plants run steadily and provide large volumes of carbon-free electricity.
U.S. Energy Information Administration data show natural gas as the largest source of U.S. electricity generation. Nuclear reliably provides a significant share of output with low direct emissions. Both face hurdles. Gas prices can swing with weather and global demand. Nuclear projects struggle with financing and long construction timelines.
Advocates say modern reactors and advanced fuels could reduce costs and improve safety. Skeptics point to cost overruns on recent projects and favor faster deployment of wind, solar, and storage. Utilities increasingly plan portfolios that mix firm power with renewables to meet reliability rules and emissions goals.
What It Means For Households And Business
Rising gold prices can signal caution among investors, which may weigh on risk appetite in markets. For companies, visa policies can shape hiring, research timelines, and where to build teams. Energy choices affect power prices, blackout risks, and decarbonization targets.
Policymakers face trade-offs. Adjusting H-1B fees or golden visa rules can influence both labor markets and investment flows. Energy decisions lock in infrastructure for decades, with long-term cost and climate effects.
Outlook And Key Variables
The path of inflation and interest rates will influence gold. Visa policy changes will ripple through tech hubs and university towns. Energy bills will reflect fuel costs, grid investments, and extreme weather.
- Gold: Watch central bank policy signals and geopolitical flare-ups.
- Visas: Track fee schedules, cap levels, and enforcement practices.
- Energy: Follow natural gas supply trends and nuclear project approvals.
Moore’s core message linked price signals and policy choices. Investors and executives now weigh those links as they plan for the next year.
With gold at records, a tight labor market, and a grid under strain, decisions on visas and power supply carry added weight. The coming months will test whether policymakers can balance growth, affordability, and reliability without fueling new risks.
