Former President Donald Trump has expressed approval for a concept that emerged online, proposing the distribution of DOGE savings to taxpayers via a $5,000 check.
“There’s even a new concept being considered where we allocate 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens while another 20% goes towards reducing the national debt,” Trump mentioned during the FII Priority Summit in Miami on Wednesday.
Here’s what you need to know about the potential ‘DOGE Dividend.’
What is the ‘DOGE Dividend?”
Elon Musk addresses the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 20, 2025.
The concept originated from James Fishback, a user on X, who suggested on Tuesday that Trump and Elon Musk should issue a ‘DOGE Dividend’ to all taxpayers. According to his proposal, the dividend would serve as a tax refund financed by the savings announced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk responded, “Will check with the President,” and later in the week, Trump acknowledged that the idea was being considered.
Will there be a DOGE check? How much money would it be?
If Musk achieves his target of $2 trillion in spending cuts by next year, Fishback estimates that 20% of the DOGE savings could result in $5,000 for each taxpaying household.
However, it remains uncertain whether DOGE will reach that target. Although the department claims to have saved $55 billion, a review by USA TODAY suggested that the actual figure based on their ‘wall of receipts’ is closer to $16.5 billion.
Furthermore, there is no assurance that such a proposal would materialize, as any stimulus payment from the U.S. government would require Congressional approval.
What is a dividend? Stimulus check?
A dividend is defined as a portion of a company’s earnings distributed to its shareholders in cash or stock.
Conversely, a stimulus check is a payment made to taxpayers by the federal government, typically intended to promote economic activity by giving individuals additional spending money.
Are we getting another stimulus check?
Some individuals did receive stimulus checks unrelated to DOGE in 2025.
The Internal Revenue Service announced a stimulus check in December for taxpayers who had not claimed a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. This credit was for those who had not received prior stimulus payments.
Most payments were issued in December and January, amounting up to $1,400. However, taxpayers who had not filed a 2021 tax return may still qualify for the stimulus check if they submit their return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 15, as per the IRS.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Is DOGE sending out checks? What to know about ‘DOGE Dividend’ idea
