Donald Trump has made a bold claim that many Americans could be paid $2,000... but when could we see the money?
In a fiery flurry of Truth Social posts, the president laid out a provocative vision where tariffs don’t just protect American industries - they bankroll a nationwide dividend.
“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” Trump declared.
But while the promise of extra cash sounds appealing, experts and lawmakers are raising big questions about whether the numbers - and the law - actually add up.
Tariffs at the Center of Trump’s Economic Strategy
The centerpiece of Trump’s economic playbook is simple: tax foreign imports, rake in the revenue, and pass some of it back to the American people.
It’s a strategy he claims is already fueling record-breaking economic growth.
“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,” Trump posted.
He continued: “We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion. Record Investment in the USA, plants and factories going up all over the place.”
Trump has claimed that many Americans could receive $2,000. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty
Trump insists that businesses are flocking to the U.S. because of his tariff policies, and he lashed out at critics and legal hurdles attempting to block them.
“So, let’s get this straight??? The President of the United States is allowed (and fully approved by Congress!) to stop ALL TRADE with a Foreign Country … but is not allowed to put a simple Tariff on a Foreign Country, even for purposes of NATIONAL SECURITY," he wrote.
“That is NOT what our great Founders had in mind! … Other Countries can Tariff us, but we can’t Tariff them??? … Businesses are pouring into the USA ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS. HAS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOT BEEN TOLD THIS??? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???”
When Could We See The Money?
The truth is, not anytime soon.
As Fox News stated, there are lots of legal hurdles to jump through, and the money might not even come in the form of cash into a bank account.
We could see it paid out as either a tax or a healthcare rebate.
Adding to that, the numbers don't actually add up.
According to The Hill, the U.S. took in roughly $195 billion in customs duties in the first three quarters of 2025. That’s a 250 percent increase over the previous year, but it still may not be enough.
Economist Erica York broke down the numbers: “If the cutoff is $100,000, 150M adults would qualify, for a cost near $300 billion. … Adjusting for that, tariffs have raised $90 billion of net revenues compared to Trump’s proposed $300 billion rebate.”
There is no date for the alleged $2,000. Credit: Samuel Corum / Getty
Arnold Ventures’ co-chair suggested the cost could balloon even higher, potentially reaching $513 billion—nearly triple what tariffs have currently generated.
So the long and short of it is that you shouldn't factor in the $2,000 to any spending you might have planned.