Are you hopeful for a potential $5,000 check from DOGE? Is it a stimulus, a dividend, or a refund? Here’s everything we currently know regarding its nature and potential beneficiaries.
During a speech on Wednesday, President Donald Trump revealed he’s contemplating a proposal to distribute $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers labeled as a ‘DOGE dividend.’ He described it as allocating 20% of the savings identified by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to American taxpayers.
The concept of a ‘DOGE dividend’ was initially presented on Tuesday by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, on Musk’s social media platform X, suggesting that Trump and Musk should officially announce a ‘DOGE Dividend’ — a tax refund check for every taxpayer funded solely through a portion of savings generated by DOGE. Musk replied, “Will check with the President.”
“The figures are astounding, Elon. So many millions, billions — hundreds of billions,” Trump stated in his address. “We’re considering giving 20% back to the American people and 20% for debt repayment.”
According to the Treasury Department, the U.S. national debt rose to $35.5 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year, marking a $1.4 trillion increase from the year before, with the debt-to-GDP ratio climbing by 2 percentage points compared to 2023.
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Trump did not delve into any additional specifics regarding the potential ‘DOGE dividend’ or its feasibility.
However, Fishback’s four-page proposal for the ‘DOGE dividend’ outlined that it would serve as a refund “solely for tax-paying households.” He emphasized that unlike previous stimulus checks, DOGE checks would not contribute to inflation as they would only be “funded by DOGE-driven savings, distinct from COVID stimulus checks that were financed through debt.”
A dividend is generally a distribution of profits by a corporation to its shareholders, while a refund is a return payment to someone who previously made a payment. In contrast, a stimulus check is a direct payment intended to encourage spending and stimulate economic growth by distributing money directly to consumers.
What is DOGE?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formally known as the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, is an initiative established by Trump and directed by ‘special government employee’ Musk.
The aim of DOGE is to significantly reduce federal expenditures, promote deregulation, and “modernize federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.”
Is there a DOGE stimulus check?
There has been no indication that DOGE is planning to distribute a stimulus check as a consequence of its cost-saving measures. Any form of stimulus payment issued by the federal government requires Congressional approval.
Did individuals receive stimulus checks in 2025?
Yes, some people did.
The IRS issued stimulus checks to taxpayers who did not claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, which was designated for those who hadn’t received earlier stimulus payments.
This stimulus was announced in December during the Biden administration and authorized after IRS data indicated that numerous eligible taxpayers who submitted a 2021 tax return did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The stimulus payments were distributed in December and January, with eligible recipients receiving up to $1,400 according to the IRS.
How much has DOGE saved?
Upon its introduction, DOGE aimed to save up to $2 trillion annually. DOGE claims to have already saved $55 billion through government cuts, but this figure remains unverified.
The agency has implemented significant reductions across federal agencies, including large-scale layoffs. Agencies that have experienced 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.
Contributions by: James Powel, Greta Cross of USA TODAY
