‘Just getting started’: Trump speech on DOGE, budget and border
President Donald Trump outlined his vision for the next four years in his remarks before a joint session of Congress.
The potential DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) check remains a hot topic, possibly putting $5,000 in everyone’s pocket.
President Donald Trump initially proposed this idea, suggested by investment firm CEO James Fishback, in late February.
“We’re looking at giving 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to pay down the debt,” Trump mentioned during the Saudi-sponsored FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami Beach last month.
This announcement coincided with a USA TODAY report revealing that DOGE’s website had published false data regarding its claimed savings, including an $8 billion error.
How might this new stimulus check be issued? Here’s what you need to know:
Will there be a DOGE stimulus check?
Currently, there’s no indication that DOGE will provide a stimulus check resulting from cost-saving measures. Any stimulus payment from the U.S. government would require Congressional approval, so don’t anticipate anything soon.
Did anyone receive stimulus checks in 2025?
Yes, some individuals did.
The Internal Revenue Service issued stimulus checks to taxpayers who did not claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, aimed at those who missed previous stimulus payments.
This stimulus, announced in December under the Biden administration, was sanctioned after the IRS found many eligible taxpayers who filed a 2021 tax return had not claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The payments were distributed in December and January, with eligible individuals receiving up to $1,400, according to the IRS.
Can anyone still claim the $1,400 stimulus check?
Taxpayers who did not file a 2021 tax return may still qualify for the stimulus check if they file their return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 15, according to the IRS.
What is DOGE?
DOGE, officially known as the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, is an initiative introduced by Trump and managed by “special government employee” Musk.
The mission of DOGE is to reduce federal spending, streamline regulations, and “modernize federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.”
Who would qualify for $5,000 DOGE stimulus checks?
While Trump didn’t provide further specifics about the potential DOGE dividend or its assurances, Fishback’s proposal describes it as a refund “provided only to tax-paying households” and would target households above certain income levels, contrasting with pandemic-era checks that were distributed “indiscriminately.”
Explaining the difference from previous stimulus checks, Fishback asserted that DOGE checks wouldn’t contribute to inflation, as they would be “entirely funded with DOGE-driven savings, unlike COVID stimulus checks that relied on deficit financing.”
“Many low-income households effectively received transfer payments amounting to 25 to 30% of their annual income,” Fishback mentioned regarding the pandemic stimulus checks, noting, “This initiative exclusively targets households that net-pay federal income tax, signifying a reduced likelihood of spending compared to saving a transfer payment like the DOGE dividend.”
