Trump made the announcement Sunday, Nov. 9, in a social media post, touting the economic success of his trade policies.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

President Donald Trump is promising a “tariff dividend” of at least $2,000 per person to most Americans, excluding high-income earners, funded by revenue from his administration’s sweeping tariffs. 

Trump made the announcement Sunday, Nov. 9, in a social media post, touting the economic success of his trade policies.

“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He also defended his tariff strategy, calling critics “fools” and claiming the US is now the “richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation, and a record stock market price.”

The proposed payments would come from what Trump described as “trillions of dollars” in tariff revenue collected by the federal government. 

He also reiterated his intention to use these funds to begin paying down the national debt, which currently stands at $37 trillion.

This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea of a tariff-funded payout. In an interview with One America News Network on Thursday, Oct. 2, Trump suggested that Americans could receive checks of up to $2,000, calling it “almost like a dividend to the people of America.”

Treasury data shows that tariffs introduced earlier this year have already generated $214 billion in revenue, with Trump predicting the total could eventually exceed $1 trillion annually. 

However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has estimated a more modest maximum of $500 billion per year.

While Trump’s proposal has sparked excitement among some Americans, it faces significant legal and political hurdles. 

The Supreme Court heard arguments last week on whether Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act when imposing the tariffs.

Lower courts have already ruled against the administration, and if the Supreme Court upholds those decisions, the government could be forced to refund as much as $1 trillion in collected or projected tariff revenue.

Congressional approval would also be required to implement any direct payments. 

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has already proposed the “American Worker Rebate Act,” which would use tariff revenue to provide tax rebates of at least $600 per adult and child, based on income levels. 

However, Trump’s $2,000 figure far exceeds that proposal, and no clear timeline or implementation plan has been provided.

Critics of Trump’s tariff policies argue that they have driven up costs for American consumers and businesses, while supporters claim they have boosted domestic production and created leverage in trade negotiations. 

Trump, however, remains confident in his approach, stating, “We are taking in trillions of dollars and will soon begin paying down our enormous debt.”