Elon Musk’s initiative to offer Americans “dividend checks,” funded by a portion of the savings achieved by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has gained significant public backing, according to recent polling data.
A survey involving 1,001 registered voters revealed that 67 percent of Americans favor DOGE issuing a one-time $5,000 check supported by the department’s cost-saving measures. Among this majority, 46 percent expressed strong support for the proposal, while 21 percent somewhat supported it, and 12 percent opposed it.
The research conducted by J.L. Partners from February 24 to 25 indicated considerable bipartisan endorsement for the concept, with 79 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of Democrats supporting it. Additionally, 24 percent of Democrats and 29 percent of independents stated that receiving the check would increase their likelihood of voting for a Republican congressional candidate.
Why It Matters
While DOGE’s overall approval ratings remain mixed, the proposed dividend checks—if realized—could significantly boost public support for the non-governmental department. This surge in backing would provide essential political leverage to pursue its mission of addressing fraud, waste, and abuse within the federal government.
As indicated by the bipartisan support for the checks, they could also serve as a crucial advantage for the White House and legislative momentum for congressional Republicans, who are currently navigating some of the narrowest majorities in recent history.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
What To Know
DOGE adviser James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that DOGE should deliver a “tax refund check” to U.S. families utilizing the dividends from its cost-saving measures.
He included a memo with his post that specified the $5,000 amount was determined by dedicating 20 percent of DOGE’s goal of saving $2 trillion and distributing it among the 79 million taxpaying households nationwide.
“I’ll check with the president,” Musk replied.
At the subsequent Conservative Political Action Conference, Musk mentioned that President Donald Trump was “supportive” of the proposal.
Nonetheless, despite the considerable support for the checks, the allocation of $5,000 DOGE “dividends” hinges on Musk’s department following through on its ambitious plans to drastically reduce federal spending.
In a recent interview with political strategist Mark Penn, Musk acknowledged that achieving the $2 trillion target was unlikely, referring to it as the “best-case scenario.”
“You kind of have to have some overage,” Musk explained. “If we aim for $2 trillion, we have a good shot at getting $1 trillion.”
A recent analysis by Reuters noted that DOGE has thus far cut only $8.5 billion in government contracts, which the outlet described as “a small fraction of what the U.S. government pays contractors annually.”
This initiative could also face opposition from fiscal conservatives within the Republican Party.
Many of these critics have previously condemned stimulus measures from the COVID era—including the $1,400 direct payments—arguing that they contributed to the surge in U.S. inflation, which hit a 40-year high in 2022.
What People Are Saying
Scarlett Maguire, Director of J.L. Partners, commented: “There is evident cross-party support for the DOGE Dividend, with even Democrats strongly favoring the concept. Americans believe it would encourage citizens to report instances of government waste and fraud.”
James Fishback, the architect of the proposal, stated to NewsNation: “The credit goes to President Trump. These savings would not be feasible without his leadership. We formalized the plan, but President Trump will be the one to implement it.”
Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly stated last week on NewsNation that he would decline the check if it were offered, adding: “I oppose this arrangement because I believe any waste should be deducted from the federal debt, returning funds to the Treasury.”
Elon Musk, speaking at CPAC last week: “It’s money taken from entities that are harmful to the country and from organizations that oppose you, directly to you. That’s amazing—like, glorious. The spoils of battle.”
What Happens Next
There are currently no definitive plans to distribute the $5,000 checks, despite Musk claiming the president supports the idea.
Based on the calculations involved, any potential checks would likely be issued only at the end of the year and would depend on the amount DOGE is able to cut from the federal budget.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
