Trump Plans $1,000–$2,000 Tariff-Funded Rebate Checks for Americans

President Donald Trump has proposed issuing rebate checks of $1,000 to $2,000 to Americans, funded by the revenue generated from tariffs imposed by his administration. He described these payments as a "dividend to the people of America," emphasizing that tariff collections are growing significantly and could eventually reach over $1 trillion annually, though Treasury projections are more conservative, estimating revenues exceeding $500 billion. Trump stated that the primary use of these funds would be to reduce the national debt, currently at $37 trillion, but indicated that distributions to the public might also occur. The idea aims to highlight the benefits of his trade policies by directly offsetting costs for households, although critics argue that tariffs ultimately burden American consumers. The proposal requires congressional approval and comes amid a government shutdown that has delayed key economic data releases and raised concerns about federal job cuts. This initiative reflects the administration's attempt to reframe tariffs as a revenue source benefiting U.S. citizens rather than an economic liability.