Numerous Americans are advocating for stimulus checks to be distributed from savings achieved by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, and this notion has gained significant traction online.
James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, took to X to urge Musk to issue a stimulus check stemming from the asserted savings. The sentiment resonated with others on social media platforms like TikTok, with one video suggesting taxpayers could receive as much as $8,000, which has garnered over 5 million views since its posting on Sunday.
In response to Fishback’s post, Musk, who was argued in court by the Trump administration to not be an actual employee of DOGE, stated, “Will check with the President.”
DOGE claims to have saved the government $55 billion, though the supporting evidence on the department’s website primarily references contracts that were canceled at agencies targeted by the Trump administration.
Here’s what you should know regarding stimulus payments and DOGE.
Is a DOGE stimulus check on the horizon?
Currently, there are no signals indicating that DOGE will roll out a stimulus check as a result of its cost-cutting measures.
Were stimulus checks issued in 2025?
Yes, some individuals did receive them.
The Internal Revenue Service distributed stimulus checks to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. This credit was designed for those who did not receive earlier stimulus payments.
This stimulus initiative, announced in December under the Biden administration, was authorized after IRS analysis revealed that many eligible taxpayers who submitted a 2021 tax return had not claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The stimulus payments were dispersed in December and January, and eligible individuals received up to $1,400, as per the IRS.
Can individuals still claim the $1,400 stimulus check?
Taxpayers who did not file a 2021 tax return might still qualify for the stimulus check if they submit their return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 15, according to the IRS.
What measures has DOGE implemented?
The quasi-government agency has executed severe budget cuts across various federal agencies, leading to the dismissal or administrative leave of thousands of employees.
Agencies that have already experienced budget cuts include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Voices: What are your expectations for household savings due to DOGE cuts?
What financial benefits does your household anticipate from the cuts enforced by the Department of Government Efficiency — whether as a stimulus check or federal tax savings next spring? Share your thoughts in the poll below, or send your letter to the editor at letters@rgj.com.
