Donald Trump says almost every American could soon get a $2,000 “dividend,” which he claims comes from new tariff revenue. On Truth Social, he argued that tariffs have made the US the “richest, most respected country in the world,” adding: “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!” He also said the country has “Almost No Inflation” and a “Record Stock Market Price.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the payments might go only to families earning under $100,000. “That would be for families making less than, say, $100,000,” he told Fox & Friends, though he stressed the idea is still “being discussed.” If the cap becomes official, nearly 150 million Americans could qualify. One estimate says this would cost roughly $300 billion.

Bessent also suggested the $2,000 may not come as a traditional check. He told ABC the dividend “could come in lots of forms,” possibly through tax cuts such as “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security.” He added that these policies are already boosting refunds. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is still “committed” to delivering the payments and that advisers are working on it: “The president made it clear he wants to make it happen.”

The major question is how to pay for it. Current tariff revenue is only $195 billion, far below what the plan would require. The administration expects $3 trillion in tariff income over ten years, but relying on future revenue could deepen the national debt, which is already above $38 trillion. Trump continues to defend higher tariffs, saying they make the US the “Richest, Most Respected Country In the World.”