North Las Vegas, Nevada – Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump announced his intentions to distribute $2,000 stimulus checks funded by tariffs, claiming that his proposed economic plan would aid working-class Americans. Trump referred to those who oppose his tariff strategy as “FOOLS!” in a post on social media, where he emphasized that the United States is “the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World” with minimal inflation and a thriving stock market.
Trump’s proposal involves using a portion of tariff revenue to issue rebate checks akin to the stimulus payments made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, he also suggested potentially giving $5,000 payments branded as “DOGE dividends,” leveraging savings identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative he created and is associated with Elon Musk.
In related discussions, California Congressman Ro Khanna has proposed similar $2,000 payments for individuals earning below $100,000, suggesting it could help offset the financial impact of Trump’s tariffs.
However, the potential for additional stimulus payments hinges on congressional approval. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that any proposal relating to healthcare, which Trump recommended to Senate Republicans, is still in the works and contingent upon resolving the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 41st day. Bessent clarified that, while Trump is vocal about his plans, a formal proposal has not been presented to the Senate yet, nor will negotiations commence until the government is reopened.
The Department of Government Efficiency aims to improve federal operations and reduce spending, and its long-term impact on federal financing is still being assessed. Currently, there are no formal plans for stimulus legislation beyond discussions, and it remains uncertain whether Americans will see further payments in the near future.