Recently, Trump expressed support for the idea of a DOGE Dividend stimulus check.
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Trump’s Renewed Interest in DOGE Dividend Stimulus Checks
Donald Trump is known for putting his name on various things – from buildings to steaks and even stimulus checks. He is now backing the notion of a $5,000 DOGE Dividend stimulus check for taxpayers, proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency. During a speech in Miami on Wednesday, Trump mentioned that his administration is exploring a plan to return 20% of DOGE’s savings to the public.
“A new concept is even under consideration where we return 20 percent of the DOGE savings to American citizens,” Trump stated. “The figures are extraordinary, Elon, so many millions, billions, hundreds of billions.”
Though budget analysts doubt that DOGE can yield the $2 trillion in savings promised by Musk, it’s clear why this idea resonates with Trump. It combines two of his preferred themes: branding and disbursing money.
DOGE Dividend: A Concept Trump Finds Appealing
This isn’t the first instance of Trump advocating for cash payments to Americans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he insisted that his name appear on stimulus checks, a move that was as much about perception as it was about policy, particularly since it likely delayed the distribution of economic impact payments. Trump recognizes the significance of being linked to cash hitting people’s bank accounts. If a DOGE Dividend ever comes to fruition, it’s likely that Trump’s name will be associated with it.
As The Washington Post noted back in 2020, “Trump has consistently referred to the [stimulus payment] legislation as ‘a Trump administration initiative’ and positioned himself at the forefront of government efforts to support Americans amid the coronavirus response — taking full credit.” The stimulus checks “offer Trump a new form of retail politics. A check serves as a tangible, bread-and-butter symbol for taxpayers right in their mailboxes.”
Former President Biden did not take a cue from Trump and subsequently regretted not putting his name on stimulus checks, labeling it “stupid.” “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden remarked in late 2024 at a speech at the Brookings Institute, a Washington think tank. “He issued checks for people totaling 7,400 bucks … and I didn’t. Stupid.”
Informing voters about a potential check framed as a direct benefit of Trump’s cost-saving measures is a compelling message. The existence of actual savings is almost secondary; the headline alone captures attention.
The Branding Strategy Behind the DOGE Dividend
Trump has consistently shown strong marketing instincts. The DOGE Dividend concept has the catchy alliteration and buzz to serve as a campaign talking point, even if it never materializes. Originally proposed by James Fishback, Trump’s remarks will certainly boost interest in the idea. By associating himself with this notion, he continues to steer the discussion towards his financial acumen and his administration’s cost-saving efforts.
However, the reality is more complex. Jessica Riedl from the Manhattan Institute highlighted to The Washington Post that DOGE has only accrued about $4 billion in savings so far. That amount is merely a rounding error in the federal budget. But for Trump, the figures may carry less weight than the branding and the opportunity to communicate to Americans, “I’m giving you money.”
DOGE Dividend: A Political Asset for Trump
Trump understands that conveying to voters the possibility of receiving a $5,000 DOGE Dividend is an enticing proposition, regardless of whether it ever becomes reality. Much like his previous business endeavors, the narrative often holds more significance than the outcome. Ultimately, the prospect of sending another stimulus check with his name attached to it to millions of Americans may be too appealing for Trump to resist.
