Grant Cardone, the CEO of Cardone Capital and anticipated speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Future of Digital Assets event, has expressed confidence in former President Donald Trump's potential to address America's escalating real estate crisis if he makes a return to office. Cardone, in a recent interview with Fox Business, underscored the severity of the current housing market dilemma, marked by exorbitant mortgage rates and dwindling affordability. He describes it as a 'massive problem,' with soaring home prices and rental costs particularly prevalent in large, Democratic-leaning metropolitan areas.

Cardone noted the growing challenges to home ownership and remarked, 'If you want to buy a house, you can't. If you want to sell a house, you can't. If you want to get a mortgage, you can't afford it.' Cardone anticipates that Trump would tackle these issues by leveraging influence over the Federal Reserve to decrease interest rates, thereby rejuvenating housing transactions. Reflecting on Trump's past presidential tenure, he stated, 'He did it last time,' suggesting that such measures could catalyze mortgage affordability and bolster home ownership.

These discussions emerge amidst Cardone's recent critiques of Vice President Kamala Harris for her perceived politically-driven outreach to the cryptocurrency sector, lacking genuine backing for the industry. 'Harris has had no shift toward the crypto industry,' Cardone commented, framing her engagements as electioneering rather than earnest endeavors for digital assets. In contrast, Cardone positions Trump as more favorable to the crypto landscape, highlighting his grasp of digital assets' potential advantages.

'If she is elected, forget crypto,' he remarked.

Cardone argues that persisting high interest rates have rendered housing inaccessible for numerous Americans, resulting in stalled home sales and negligible mortgage applications. 'Until rates breach 4%, you will not have any movement in the housing market,' Cardone asserted, highlighting the stagnation caused by potential buyers being unable to afford homes or secure mortgages. Moreover, Cardone's advocacy for reduced interest rates aligns with his belief in Trump's capabilities to spearhead efforts to 'bring rates down' through the Federal Reserve.

Drawing parallels between Trump's direct, sales-driven modus operandi and his ability to effectively communicate with Americans grappling with housing predicaments, Cardone applauds Trump’s marketing tactics as 'genius.' He lauds Trump's presence on platforms like Joe Rogan's podcast, amplifying his reach to millions of Americans and surfacing financial and economic concerns outside conventional political campaigns. Beyond real estate, Cardone is a staunch advocate for financial literacy over traditional retirement savings strategies, typically criticizing 401(k) and IRA plans as 'traps that prevent people from ever having enough.'

He argues these methods fail to produce significant wealth due to tax consequences and inflation, promoting a more immediate and vigorous path to wealth accumulation. 'The tax implications of 401(k)s and potential rises in tax rates could end up costing investors more in the long run,' he claimed. His approach underscores the importance of maintaining liquid assets for imminent investment prospects, rather than gradual, small contributions to retirement accounts. Cardone encourages creating 'secured, sacred (untouchable) accounts' to serve as a base for long-term wealth, advising against withdrawals during emergencies to uphold financial stability.

However, opponents of Cardone’s view note the significant reliance on traditional retirement plans, with 401(k) accounts amassing $7.4 trillion in assets as of late 2023. Cardone’s dismissal overlooks considerable tax advantages and employer contributions assisting Americans in generating savings without direct high-risk exposure. Nonetheless, Cardone insists that financial education should take precedence, as a significant portion of Americans remain ill-equipped to manage their finances, fueling personal financial instability.

His insights on financial policy and digital assets will be prominent topics at the Benzinga Future of Digital Assets event on November 19, where he's set to join experts in discussing the future of real estate, financial literacy, and digital assets.