Is the U.S. Running Out of Gold? Shocking Facts You Should Know

economy financial investing

Is the U.S. Government Running Out of Gold?

Have they really depleted their gold stockpiles? What if I told you there's a chance that the United States might be completely out of gold? Yes, you heard that right—Fort Knox could be nearly empty for all we know. And if that’s true, it could mean big trouble for the economy and your investments.

Gold prices are skyrocketing, hitting all-time highs, but no one seems to be talking about it. Did you know a single gold bar is now worth a million dollars? In this post, we’ll dig into the facts, the rumors, and why you should be paying attention to what’s happening right now with gold prices.

1. Lack of Financial Audits

One of the biggest red flags surrounding U.S. gold reserves is that they haven’t had a full audit since the 1950s. Back then, under the Eisenhower administration, a thorough audit was done, which included counting, weighing, and checking the gold for authenticity. Since that time, no audit has been done at that scale.

The U.S. Mint does yearly financial audits that supposedly check the gold reserves, but many criticize them for being too quick and not thorough. In 1974, after a lot of public concern, the Treasury Secretary allowed a high-profile visit to Fort Knox. They brought some congressmen to see the gold, but many saw it as just a media stunt. Only a small portion of the gold was actually looked at, leaving even more questions than answers.

Since then, the government has stayed silent about the state of the gold reserves. Despite calls for a full, independent audit, nothing has happened. If the gold is really there, wouldn’t it make sense to do a full audit and reassure the public?

2. The Federal Reserve’s Role

Edward Griffin’s book The Creature from Jekyll Island dives deep into the creation of the Federal Reserve. While some of his claims are controversial, it’s still interesting to think about how a secret meeting in 1910 with bankers and government officials set the foundation for what would become the U.S. central bank.

The Federal Reserve, while it doesn’t directly control the nation’s gold reserves, has a huge impact on the economy. The U.S. Treasury, not the Fed, owns and manages the gold, but the Fed’s decisions on monetary policy, interest rates, and the money supply have definitely shaped how gold plays a role in today’s economy.

Back in 1971, President Nixon, influenced by the Fed, ended the direct convertibility of the dollar to gold, which led to the fiat currency system we use today. This meant that our money was no longer backed by gold or any other physical asset, a move that changed the U.S. economy forever.

3. The Abandonment of the Gold Standard

Another big concern with the U.S. gold reserves is the government's decision to abandon the gold standard. Before 1971, the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, meaning you could exchange your dollars for a fixed amount of gold. But when President Nixon ended this, the value of the dollar became based on the government's promise rather than a tangible asset like gold.

This shift wasn’t just about money—it was a move away from the principles laid out by the founding fathers. The Constitution clearly states that money should be backed by gold or silver. Yet, over the years, we’ve seen silver removed from coins and gold abandoned as the backbone of our currency. Today, our money is no longer tied to anything of real value, leading to unchecked money printing and a huge national debt.

Final Thoughts:

So, is the U.S. running out of gold? The lack of transparency, the Federal Reserve’s influence, and the abandonment of the gold standard all raise questions. While we can’t say for sure if Fort Knox is empty, it’s clear that something doesn’t add up. With gold prices hitting record highs, now is the time to keep a close eye on what’s happening with gold reserves—and what it means for the future of the U.S. economy.

About The Author

Noel Lorenzana is an Illinois-licensed, Registered Certified Public Accountant with over 20 plus years of experience.

Through his online educational content, YouTube videos, easy-to-understand courses and 1-on-1 consulting, he gives you the tools to become tax savvy for yourself. 

Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this article, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties.