As the Department of Government Efficiency promotes its budget-cutting measures, there are calls for stimulus checks to be distributed.
This notion was initially proposed by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, on X, and has since gained notable traction, though responses from lawmakers vary.
Fishback suggested on X, formerly Twitter, that Elon Musk should consider issuing stimulus checks based on the alleged savings. This sentiment has been echoed on TikTok as well, with one video claiming taxpayers could receive as much as $8,000, garnering over 5 million views since its release on Sunday.
But will DOGE indeed be issuing refunds or stimulus payments?
Here’s what you need to know about the concept of DOGE dividend checks, including the comments made by Elon Musk and Trump regarding the proposal.
Is DOGE sending out checks?
Currently, DOGE is not sending out checks. The proposal put forth by Fishback remains in the conceptual stage and requires multiple layers of approval.
Musk responded to Fishback on X, suggesting he would “check with the President,” though recent legal documents indicate that Musk does not lead DOGE.
Trump commented on the idea during the Saudi-sponsored FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on Wednesday.
“We’re contemplating distributing 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to reduce the national debt,” Trump stated.
However, any potential stimulus payment would need Congressional approval before the federal government could proceed.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, seems unenthusiastic about stimulus checks linked to DOGE actions. At the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference, he displayed skepticism when the idea of stimulus checks prompted by the Department of Government Efficiency was mentioned.
“While it might be politically advantageous for us, since every individual receives a check,” Johnson remarked to the audience, “we must prioritize our core values—fiscal responsibility is essential to us as conservatives. We are dealing with a $36 trillion national debt and a significant deficit. We should focus on eliminating that debt first.”
What is DOGE? What significance does DOGE hold in politics?
DOGE, short for Department of Government Efficiency, primarily aims to identify methods to reduce spending and bureaucratic regulations. The term also alludes to a cryptocurrency known as dogecoin.
Musk was appointed as the head of the department by Trump shortly after winning the election, with the establishment of the department made official through executive action on Trump’s first day in office.
Recent court documents have raised questions about Musk’s role within DOGE, stating he serves as a “senior advisor to the president” rather than its official leader. These documents further clarify that the department operates independently from the White House.
As of February 21, the DOGE website claims it has saved $55 billion through various means, including fraud detection, contract cancellations, and cuts to programs and regulations.
However, a recent report by USA TODAY found that the DOGE website contained misleading information regarding its savings, including a nearly $8 billion discrepancy.
The documented contracts, grants, and real estate licenses listed on the DOGE website amounted to approximately $16.5 billion, far less than the $55 billion claimed in savings. This discrepancy was largely due to the erroneous inclusion of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract that DOGE claimed was worth $8 billion when it was actually valued at only $8 million.
USA TODAY reporters Greta Cross and James Powel contributed to this article.
