Trump Outlines How He Plans to Fund $2,000 Tariff Checks

Donald Trump has revealed how he intends to fund a $2,000 tariff “dividend” check for most low- and middle-income Americans.

A Costly Promise

According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, distributing the payments could cost up to $600 billion. That figure is more than double the revenue generated from the tariffs imposed in April.

So far, the steep duties have brought in about $90 billion from major trading partners, with most nations facing a 10 percent baseline tariff. Yet this total covers only a small portion of the money needed. Trump also insists that taxpayer dollars will not fill the gap.

Trump Predicts Tariff Revenues Will Surge

Instead, he maintains that tariffs alone will bankroll the checks. On Monday, November 24, he shared an update on Truth Social, saying the “full benefit of the Tariffs had not yet been calculated.”

Earlier this year, many businesses stockpiled inventory ahead of tariff deadlines, temporarily avoiding the higher import fees. However, that supply is now thinning. As warehouses empty, Trump predicts companies will soon be forced to pay the enhanced duties in full.

Why He Believes the Money Will Add Up

Trump argues that once avoidance ends, tariffs on all applicable goods will be paid without exception. He claims this shift will cause revenue to “skyrocket over and above the already historic levels of dollars received.”

Economic Concerns Rise

While many Americans eagerly await a possible $2,000 windfall—expected before the 2026 midterms—Republican lawmakers warn the plan could seriously harm the economy.

During the pandemic in 2020, Trump approved stimulus payments that widely helped struggling households. However, when Joe Biden took office, Democrats pushed for additional rounds of relief. Economists say those later payments may have fueled inflation.

Inflation Still Climbing

As prices rose, Biden’s approval ratings fell. Experts fear Trump could face the same backlash if his tariff checks add more pressure to the economy.

Inflation has climbed steadily since January, reaching 3 percent in September, according to the Consumer Price Index. With no clear signs of slowing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has advised Americans to save, not spend, the potential payments.

“Maybe we could persuade Americans to save that,” he told Fox News, warning that additional spending could push inflation even higher.