Donald Trump unveils ‘tariff dividend’ and here’s how much Americans could get
Donald Trump is hoping to deliver big on one of his major promises, with the President of the United States hoping to give back to the American people, but at what cost?
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Donald Trump has wasted no time in getting his feet back under the Resolute Desk and ordering himself a Diet Coke. While his first term was remembered for controversial plans to build a wall across the Mexican border, his first 12 months have already seen him launch his own meme coin, recruit Elon Musk to the short-lived Department of Government Efficiency, and unveil his blueprint for a Golden Dome to protect the USA from nuclear attacks.
Away from all of this, his second term will undoubtedly be remembered for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and his sweeping trade tariffs. Alongside sometimes hilarious accusations about AI working out his tariffs and headlines about him taxing seals and penguins, the POTUS has sparked fears that we're being pushed toward World War III.
The tariffs wiped $2.3 trillion off the stock market in mere moments, but in a year that's been something of a roller coaster for all involved, could we finally be about to see a payoff for our patience?
How much will Trump's tariff dividend give to each American?
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Unlike Elon Musk being able to give everyone on Earth $60 for their troubles, the President's tariff dividend could dish out a pretty respectable $2,000 for each American. Posting on Truth Social, President Trump made the announcement that almost everyone will be getting the $2,000 dividend, reiterating that 'high income people' won't be gifted it. He didn't clarify what the threshold of 'high income people' counts as, although we'd imagine Elon Musk being on the way to becoming a trillionaire would count him out.
Trump used his platform to slam the 'fools' who spoke out against his tariffs, stating: "People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World, With Almost No Inflation, and A Record Stock Market Price. 401k’s are Highest EVER."
There are still a few hurdles to leap right now. Notably, the idea of a $2,000 tariff dividend would have to be passed by Congress. Still, it comes after Republican Sen. Josh Hawley introduced legislation for $600 tariff rebates to most Americans and their dependent children.
How will we receive our tariff dividend?
Before you start flicking through the holiday brochures while planning that Christmas getaway, it seems there's more to the story. Speaking to ABC News’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the $2,000 could come in the form of tax decreases instead of direct payments.
Bessent explained: "I haven’t spoken to the president about this yet, but…. the $2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms, in lots of ways, George.
“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.”
“So, you know, those are substantial deductions that, you know, are being financed in the tax bill."
Elsewhere, we're reminded that Bessent told CNBC in August that the current administration’s top priority is to bring down the $38.12 trillion national debt via the revenue gained from increased tariffs.
Trump acknowledged that on Truth Social, referring to how taking in 'trillions of dollars' from the tariffs means the USA "will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT."
If there's any money left in the pot, we imagine the average American would be happy with $2,000. Just don't expect Mr. Trump to come around to each of our houses with a giant check.