Investor Bill Ackman has proposed merging the U.S. government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, suggesting that the move could reduce mortgage rates and create operational synergies. Concurrently, the Trump administration is considering selling shares of both mortgage finance companies in an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the combined entities at $500 billion or more, potentially as early as this year. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in moving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac away from full federal control, with plans to list the unified company under the ticker symbol 'MAGA'. However, the proposal has drawn warnings from financial experts and institutions. Pimco cautioned that an IPO could disrupt the mortgage-backed securities market and lead to higher mortgage rates if government guarantees are lost, although the administration has indicated these guarantees would remain in place for now. Economist and commentator Peter Schiff warned that merging the two entities could create a monopoly in the U.S. mortgage market, potentially posing risks greater than those experienced before the 2008 financial crisis. The privatization and merger plans remain uncertain, with questions about whether the companies will stay under conservatorship and how their shares will be valued.