At a rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, Elon Musk was questioned about the timeline for returning the millions of dollars saved by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to the American public.
He was unable to provide a definitive response, noting that the decision on whether and when the cost-saving measures from the advisory body would result in stimulus checks for taxpayers lies with Congress and Donald Trump.
Why It Matters
Established by the Trump administration to address the “bloated” federal government, Musk’s DOGE claims to have saved $130 billion since its inception in January through mass layoffs and various cost-reduction strategies. The advisory body ultimately aims to achieve $2 trillion in savings.
In February, Trump mentioned that the administration was contemplating allocating 20 percent of DOGE’s savings to the public, with another 20 percent earmarked for debt reduction. Whether these payments will reach taxpayers is subject to Congressional approval, where opposition to the initiative is already surfacing.
What to Know
During his remarks at the FII Priority Summit in Miami in February, Trump brought up the prospect of $5,000 stimulus checks being distributed from DOGE to taxpayers in the form of “dividends.”
This proposal echoes a suggestion made by Azoria investment firm CEO James Fishback, who proposed that Trump and Musk should unveil a “DOGE Dividend”—a tax refund sent to every taxpayer, funded solely by a portion of DOGE’s total savings. Musk responded at the time, indicating he would “check with the president.”
Musk was in Wisconsin for a rally preceding a crucial judicial election for the state’s supreme court, which holds national significance.
In attendance were Wisconsin-registered voters who had signed a petition against “activist” judges supported by one of Musk’s political action committees. During the event, Musk was asked when individuals could expect to receive DOGE’s checks.
One woman in the audience expressed her frustrations to Musk, saying, “I’m only 26 but I can imagine it is frustrating for people who have worked their entire lives to see their tax dollars go to fraud, waste, and abuse.” She continued, “You’ve clearly shown your leadership and team is capable of transforming our government into something better. We know that DOGE has found quite a bit of money, and we would like to see some of that return to the American people. Do you have any information on when DOGE checks will be written or sent out?”
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Musk acknowledged that while advancements have been made, “there is still a tremendous amount of work to do” within the federal government.
“As government expenses become more efficient, the tax burden imposed by inflation diminishes. Therefore, in one way or another, you will ultimately benefit if U.S. resources are not squandered,” the billionaire stated.
“It’s up to Congress and perhaps the president, you know, regarding whether specific checks are issued,” he added. “However, regardless of whether checks are issued or not, reducing wasteful spending will positively impact the economy.”
What People Are Saying
Brendan Duke, senior director for Federal Budget Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, previously mentioned to Newsweek: “The only way we will see a DOGE dividend at the current pace is if Congress treats faux savings as real savings and enacts a deficit-financed tax cut in addition to the $4.5 trillion in tax cuts being considered as part of the extension of the 2017 tax law.”
Lance Roberts, chief investment strategist and economist at RIA Advisors, commented to Newsweek: “If demand increases without a corresponding rise in supply, inflation will ensue. A tax credit would be more beneficial for the lowest 50 percent of income taxpayers who pay minimal or no taxes (they receive a refund) but wouldn’t lead to a significant demand surge.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously stated to Newsweek: “Even with the potential savings from recent cuts, stimulus checks represent a highly costly endeavor for a government already burdened with debt and lacking a pandemic-level emergency to warrant such action. I anticipate legislators will look toward new strategies like tax cuts and fewer restrictions on certain government benefit programs as ways to distract from stimulus checks as the only solution to assist Americans.”
What’s Next
The proposed DOGE refunds would be distributed to American households that are net-income taxpayers, meaning they pay more in taxes than they receive back. According to NBC News, low-income individuals would not benefit from DOGE’s stimulus checks.
However, no checks can be issued without Congressional approval for a bill authorizing the dividends. In a previous interview with Newsweek, Fishback mentioned having discussions with six U.S. senators who are enthusiastic about the checks, asserting that “the bill is coming very soon.”
Nevertheless, some Republican lawmakers have voiced their objections, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who stated that while it may be politically advantageous for the party, it conflicts with the GOP’s core value of using that money to pay down the national debt.
“Politically, it would be excellent for us because everyone receives a check,” Johnson remarked during the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
“But if we consider our core principles, fiscal responsibility is integral to our identity as conservatives. We have a $36 trillion federal debt. We are dealing with a significant deficit. We must prioritize paying down our credit card,” he concluded.
