Trump vows $2,000 ‘tariff dividend’ for Americans, says US economy ‘richest and most respected’

US President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his commitment to an aggressive tariff policy, declaring that every American, except the wealthy, will soon receive at least $2,000 from the revenues collected through tariffs imposed by his administration.

In a Truth Social post, Trump defended his trade strategy and lashed out at critics, writing, “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!” He claimed that the United States has become “the richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation, and a record stock market price.”

The president asserted that his government is generating “trillions of dollars” from tariffs, which he said would be used to both reduce the $37 trillion national debt and fund direct payments to Americans. “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he wrote, adding that the country’s economy is booming with “plants and factories going up all over the place.”

Trump highlighted record retirement savings, boasting that “401k’s are Highest EVER.” A 401(k) is a US retirement savings plan similar to India’s Provident Fund.

However, Trump provided no specifics on how or when the proposed “tariff dividend” would be distributed, or what the eligibility criteria would be.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier told CNBC that the administration’s main focus was to use tariff revenues to pay down the $38.12 trillion national debt.

Trump’s post comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny of his sweeping tariff policies, which the Supreme Court is reviewing over questions of executive overreach. The president has repeatedly dismissed such concerns, insisting that tariffs are his “strongest economic weapon.”

Inflation in the US has worsened under Trump’s presidency, with consumer prices rising 3% in September, up from 2.3% in April, when major tariff hikes were first introduced, according to the Associated Press. The report also noted that grocery and electricity costs continue to climb, while job growth has slowed by 23% compared to the same period last year.
Despite this, Trump has maintained that tariffs have strengthened the economy and reduced inflation. “We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion,” he wrote, touting “record investment in the USA.”

Proposal likely to face Congress scrutiny

Experts say any move to directly distribute tariff revenues would likely require congressional approval. Earlier this year, Republican Senator Josh Hawley proposed a similar measure offering a $600 rebate for most Americans and their dependent children.

“My legislation would allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that Trump’s tariffs are returning to this country,” Hawley said at the time.

Meanwhile, Trump aides told the Associated Press that the president plans to refocus his messaging on affordability and economic relief as part of his re-election strategy.