• Trump proposes $2,000 dividend from tariff revenue via Truth Social
• Treasury Secretary Bessent says payment could come as tax cuts
• No official IRS announcement or congressional approval yet issued

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — President Donald Trump on Sunday floated the idea of paying Americans a $2,000 “tariff dividend,” reigniting speculation about stimulus checks as the holiday season approaches. However, no official government program exists, and Congress has not approved any payments despite viral social media claims.

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that opponents of his tariffs are “fools,” adding the government is “taking in trillions of dollars” that will go toward paying down U.S. debt. He declared that a “dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” without providing further details on implementation or timing.

Treasury secretary walks back direct payment claims

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent quickly tempered expectations during an ABC News interview Sunday, revealing he hadn’t yet discussed the proposal with Trump. Bessent suggested the $2,000 dividend could arrive “in lots of forms,” including through tax cuts already enacted in the administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

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“It could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the president’s agenda. You know, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. Deductibility of auto loans,” Bessent explained. “So, you know, those are substantial deductions that are being financed in the tax bill.”

The clarification suggests Americans may not receive direct stimulus checks similar to those distributed during the coronavirus pandemic, but rather would benefit from reduced tax obligations.

No IRS or congressional action confirmed

The Internal Revenue Service has issued no official announcement regarding new stimulus payments. The agency’s website confirms that no new economic impact payments are scheduled, and the last round of pandemic stimulus checks was distributed nearly four years ago.

Congressional approval would be required for any direct payment program. Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley previously proposed the American Worker Rebate Act in August, which would have provided a minimum of $600 per adult and dependent child, but the bill stalled in committee with no recent updates.

Tariff revenue generates debate

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The Trump administration has collected $214.9 billion in tariff revenue so far in 2025, according to Treasury Department data. The Congressional Budget Office estimates tariffs could generate $3.3 trillion over the next decade, though economists question whether this revenue stream justifies direct payments.

The proposal comes as the Supreme Court weighs the legality of Trump’s global tariffs enacted under emergency powers. Multiple justices, including Trump-nominated conservatives, voiced skepticism during recent hearings about the president’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs without congressional approval.

Viral claims spark IRS scam warnings

Social media platforms have been flooded with posts claiming $2,000 payments are imminent, prompting warnings from the IRS and Federal Trade Commission. Officials caution that unsolicited messages about “guaranteed payments” are often phishing scams designed to steal personal information.

During the pandemic, Congress authorized three rounds of stimulus checks. The first provided $1,200 per adult, the second $600, and the third $1,400. Those programs officially ended, with the final deadline to claim missed payments expiring April 15, 2025.

Some states including New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado have implemented their own inflation relief programs with varying amounts and eligibility requirements, but no federal program currently exists.

Should tariff revenue be returned to taxpayers as direct payments or used to reduce national debt?

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