By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new concept being floated by the Trump administration could put more money in your pockets.
This week, President Donald Trump administration said it’s considering sending checks to every taxpayer, using savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“There’s even, under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% goes to paying down debt because the numbers are incredible, Elon,” said President Trump.
20% of DOGE savings would be divided among American taxpayers and 20% would be used to pay down the more than $35 trillion in national debt.
The concept is nothing new. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, relief payments totaling $814 billion were distributed. In Trump’s first term, qualifying Americans received a total of $1,800 in 2020. President Joe Biden also sent out relief checks totaling $1,400.
Many critics of the direct payments say it drove up inflation, some critics believe “DOGE dividend checks” would do the same. But Trump’s top economist says otherwise.
“When the government spends a lot, that’s what creates inflation. We learned that from Joe Biden. And so if we reduce government spending, that reduces inflation. And if you give people money, then they’re going to save much of it. And when they save it, that also reduces demand and reduces inflation,” said Kevin Hassett, the National Economic Council Director.
Some experts see it as a good PR move for a new department that has faced intense scrutiny. Democrats continue to bash Trump and Elon Musk over the administration’s federal employee buyout offer, hiring freeze, layoffs and other downsizing efforts.
“Instead of all of the focus being on the cuts and people losing their jobs. They’re going to try to turn this around and say, ‘hey, look, all of this waste, fraud and abuse, we’re returning back to you, the taxpayer.’ And that’s going to turn it into a much more positive argument,” said Dr. Todd Belt, Professor and Director of the Political Management Master’s Program at The George Washington University.
“Well, I absolutely think this is going to happen,” said Belt, who is bullish on a DOGE dividend, citing a precedent for the concept under former President George W. Bush.
“It was 2001 when George W. Bush sent everybody $350 or $700 checks, depending upon how much you were expecting back and it was an advance on your tax refund with the lowered taxes,” said Belt. “This is a similar idea.”
As for how much it could put in your pocket?
“Taxpayers got $1,400 from the stimulus back when we had the coronavirus, I would think it would have to be something in that range, if not higher,” said Belt.
The idea of DOGE checks came from the CEO of the American investment firm, Azoria.
