Trump Proposes $2,000 Tariff-Funded Payments by Mid-2026, Pending Congressional Approval

Former President Donald TRUMP announced plans for middle- and moderate-income Americans to receive $2,000 payments funded by tariff revenues, targeting a mid-2026 rollout. The proposal, framed as a "dividend" for bearing global trade burdens, lacks legislative backing—a hurdle Treasury officials confirm must be cleared first.

Scott Bessent, overseeing Treasury operations, emphasized that congressional action is non-negotiable for distribution. During a Fox News interview, he declined to guarantee the checks, suggesting alternatives like tax rebates. "We need legislation," Bessent stated, leaving delivery mechanisms unresolved.

Trump’s timeline remains nebulous. "We’re going to be issuing dividends later on, probably the middle of next year, a little bit later than that," he said, estimating payouts in "thousands of dollars" without specifics. The plan, previously rhetorical, now faces a skeptical Congress unlikely to prioritize it ahead of midterms.