Phillip Bump : “Trump’s check distribution plan would require $218.6 billion to cover those earning less than $75,000, or $301.8 billion for those earning less than $200,000.”

“The U.S. median income in 2024, by the way, was about $84,000. That suggests that the ‘low and middle income’ line might be drawn at about $100,000 in income, requiring $249 billion — far more than has been taken in and almost all of what might be received by year’s end.”

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