Trump promises $2,000 ‘tariff dividend’ for every American

Those questioning his trade policies are “fools,” the US president has stated

President Donald Trump has promised that every qualifying American will receive a $2,000 dividend funded by revenue from his tariff policy, the legality of which is currently under review by the US Supreme Court.

The president imposed sweeping levies on imports from US trade partners in several waves over the past year, claiming they were intended to address unfair trade imbalances. Critics argue that the duties have driven up prices for US consumers.

“People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, insisting the policy is contributing “trillions of dollars” to the US budget and would help reduce the nation’s $37 trillion national debt.

“A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he added.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC News shortly after the post that the tariff dividend could come “in lots of forms,” including tax breaks.

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The legality of Trump’s tariff policy is being challenged in a Supreme Court case brought by several states and a number of small businesses.

During a press briefing with journalists at the Oval Office on Wednesday, the president was asked about one judge’s comment that tariffs are essentially taxes paid by US citizens.

“I don’t agree,” Trump replied. "I think that they might be paying something... But when you take the overall impact, Americans are gaining tremendously.”

A Supreme Court ruling against the tariff policy would be “devastating for our country,” the president said. “I also think that we’ll have to develop a ‘game two’ plan.”