“About 1.45 million service members will receive this special warrior dividend before Christmas,” Trump said. “In honor of 1776, we’re sending every eligible soldier $1,776. Checks are already on the way.”
Trump credited tariff revenue for making the payment possible, though he did not provide detailed funding explanations during the speech.
According to CNN, a senior administration official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a $2.6 billion one-time housing allowance supplement for service members in pay grades O-6 and below. The payment reportedly applies to approximately 1.28 million active-duty members and 174,000 reserve members.
Housing Support and Holiday Relief
The official told CNN that Congress had appropriated nearly $2.9 billion earlier this year to support military housing benefits, describing the payment as part of an ongoing effort to improve quality of life for service members and their families.
The funds are expected to arrive during the holiday season, a time when many households continue to feel pressure from higher living costs. Trump, however, attributed those challenges to policies from the previous administration, reiterating criticisms related to inflation, wages, immigration, and prescription drug prices.
“I inherited a mess,” Trump said, claiming inflation levels had reached historic highs before he took office.
Looking Ahead
While reactions to the announcement have been mixed, the proposed payment has drawn attention as one of the most direct financial gestures aimed specifically at military personnel this year.
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