“People who are against tariffs are FOOLS!” he wrote. “We are taking in trillions of dollars and will soon begin paying down our enormous $37 trillion debt.”
However, economists say the math just doesn’t add up. According to estimates cited by The Guardian, sending $2,000 to every eligible American could cost the government between $300 billion and $513 billion — far exceeding what tariff revenues could possibly cover.
Economist Erica York broke it down clearly: “If the cutoff is $100,000 in income, roughly 150 million adults would qualify, for a total cost near $300 billion. But tariffs have only raised about $90 billion in net revenues — that’s nowhere near enough.”
And the financial logistics aren’t the only problem. There’s also a legal storm brewing. Several U.S. courts have already questioned whether Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs was lawful. Three lower courts have ruled against the approach, and the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the issue. If the tariffs are struck down, the foundation for any so-called “dividend” would crumble completely.
In short, while Trump’s latest promise makes for a catchy headline, experts say it’s highly unlikely to materialize without massive legal and financial hurdles being cleared first.
Still, it’s no surprise that the idea of a surprise $2,000 payment has caught the public’s attention — especially during uncertain economic times. But until the details are clear and the funds are legally secured, it might be best to keep expectations in check.
As one analyst put it bluntly: “Don’t spend that $2,000 before it hits your account — because it probably won’t.”
Whether this is a genuine plan or just another campaign soundbite remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure — when Donald Trump makes a promise, people pay attention.
What do you think — will Trump’s “tariff dividend” ever become reality, or is it just another headline-grabber? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!