Speaker Johnson tempered excitement for a possible DOGE Dividend stimulus check at a recent conference … [+]
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Recent Developments on Trump’s DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check: Backers and Critics
In the past 96 hours, discussions around the Trump DOGE Dividend stimulus check—a proposed payment to eligible taxpayers funded by savings from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—have sparked considerable debate. Below is an overview of the latest updates, including direct quotes from key figures, shedding light on who supports the DOGE stimulus check and who expresses concerns.
Backers of the DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check:
President Trump’s Position:
- Notably, President Trump has reaffirmed his support for a potential DOGE Dividend stimulus check. At an investment event last week, he mentioned that his administration is considering the “DOGE dividend check” as a way to promote the reporting of unnecessary expenditures. “They’ll be reporting it themselves,” Trump remarked, as reported by the Associated Press. He later expressed excitement about the initiative to reporters on Air Force One, stating, “I love it.”
Elon Musk’s Opinion:
- During the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last Thursday, Musk likened the DOGE Dividend stimulus checks to “the spoils of battle” and reiterated Trump’s support for the project, according to Business Insider. “I talked to the president, and he’s supportive of that, so it seems like that’s something we’re going to pursue,” he noted.
Insights from White House Advisors:
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller remarked when asked about when Americans might receive DOGE Dividend stimulus checks, “it’s all going through the reconciliation process with Congress that’s currently underway. As you’ve seen, both the Senate and the House are moving their respective bills. The President has great faith in both chambers to achieve his goals.”
- National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett informed the Washington Examiner that “we’re confident these measures won’t lead to inflation. The checks aim to boost savings and reduce debt loads, not to encourage unsustainable spending.”
Neutral Perspectives on the DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check:
- Senator Josh Hawley expressed general support for “the principle of returning that money to the people,” but advocated for these savings to fund a child tax credit, recognizing the financial burden on families with several children. “We ought to direct relief to them, which would be a great way to fund it,” Hawley stated to Business Insider.
- Senator Ted Cruz indicated that he would “want to review the details” of the proposal, according to Business Insider.
Critics of the DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check
Speaker Mike Johnson’s Comments:
- The House Speaker expressed doubts about the DOGE Dividend stimulus check concept, as reported by The Hill. When questioned about it on the CPAC stage Thursday, Johnson said, “From a political standpoint, that would be great for us, as it would provide everyone with a check. However, if we think about our core principles—fiscal responsibility—that’s fundamental to conservatism. With a $36 trillion federal debt and a significant deficit, we need to focus on paying down the credit card.”
Reactions from Other Congressional Members on the Proposed DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check:
- Senator Ron Johnson mentioned on X that he would be “happy to send a DOGE Dividend stimulus check” once the budget is balanced, adding, “I’m always in favor of allowing Americans to keep more of their earnings, but the DOGE savings should first be allocated towards reducing spending, to prevent inflation from eroding their purchasing power.”
- Senator Cynthia Loomis stated to Scripps News, “I am focused on eliminating the debt and the deficit… and controlling inflation. Those would be my top priorities for the DOGE savings.” She continued, “If there is any money left after addressing inflation, debt, and deficit concerns, it’s always beneficial to return money to taxpayers. But at $36 trillion in debt, we’ve created a significant issue.”
- Senator Thom Tillis commented to Business Insider that “sending checks is not the most careful use of savings.”
- Representative Eric Burlison told Maria Bartiromo that the U.S. is “not in a position” to hand out DOGE dividend checks.
- Senator Rand Paul expressed support for the initiative “once the budget has been balanced,” as reported by Business Insider.
Critiques from Experts on the DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check
Experts express considerable skepticism toward DOGE Dividend stimulus checks. Here’s a glimpse at their remarks.
- The Washington Post featured an editorial on Sunday, stating, “Donald Trump should reassess the notion of distributing DOGE’s savings to citizens.”
- Jessica Reidl, an economist and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, asserted to CBS MoneyWatch that “Washington is on track to face annual budget deficits exceeding $3 trillion in the coming years. Issuing taxpayer dividend [stimulus] checks would be completely irresponsible.” She added, “It is unrealistic to expect DOGE to produce $2 trillion in savings. Two-thirds of the $7 trillion federal budget is allocated to Social Security, Medicare, defense, veterans, and interest on the debt—all of which have been excluded from President Trump’s considerations.”
The Consequences of a DOGE Dividend Stimulus Check
The Trump DOGE Dividend stimulus check remains a disputed proposal. Advocates like Trump and Musk see it as a pivotal strategy to direct vital savings back into American households—if it successfully navigates the reconciliation process and is carried out as intended. In contrast, criticisms from Speaker Mike Johnson, academic authorities, and influential financial commentators warn that the anticipated savings figures might be exaggerated, and that such payments could worsen fiscal issues. Ultimately, President Trump’s final decision will be crucial, given his considerable influence; however, the skepticism—even from within the Republican Party—suggests that Americans should not expect a DOGE dividend stimulus check anytime soon.
