Former President Donald Trump has floated a bold proposal—$5,000 stimulus checks for taxpayers, dubbed the “DOGE Dividend.” The idea, which surfaced during a recent speech, is linked to savings generated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump’s plan: ‘We’re giving back’
During his speech, Trump emphasized the scale of savings achieved under DOGE. “The numbers are incredible, Elon. So many millions, billions—hundreds of billions,” Trump said. “And we’re thinking about giving 20% back to the American citizens, and 20% down to pay back our debt.”
The proposal gained traction after James Fishback, CEO of Azoria Investment Firm, suggested it on Musk’s social media platform, X. Fishback called for a “DOGE Dividend”—a tax refund check distributed from DOGE savings. Musk responded with, “Will check with the President.”
Who would be eligible?
While details remain unclear, reports indicate that eligibility would be limited. Unlike the pandemic-era stimulus checks, the DOGE Dividend would not be universally distributed. Instead, sources suggest it would be available only to net-income taxpayers—those who pay more in taxes than they receive in refunds. Lower-income Americans, who often benefit from tax credits, may not qualify.
Can DOGE deliver?
Originally designed to cut up to $2 trillion in wasteful spending annually, DOGE has reportedly saved $55 billion so far. Whether those savings translate into real checks remains to be seen.
Would you qualify for the DOGE Dividend? The White House has yet to confirm details, but with Musk’s backing and Trump’s interest, the proposal is gaining momentum.
