Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is offering new clarity on President Donald Trump’s proposal to send $2,000 checks to Americans using revenue raised from tariffs.
Speaking on Fox Business Sunday, Bessent emphasized that legislation is still required to authorize any direct payments. However, he noted that working families should see higher take-home pay early next year thanks to expected tax cuts on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
“We are going to see a big bump in the first quarter with the refunds and the real income,” Bessent said. “President Trump has also talked about sending $2,000 refunds, and that would be for working families. We will have an income limit — those could go out.”
Why It Matters
Although the $2,000 checks have been mentioned repeatedly by Trump, questions remain about timing and structure. Congressional approval is still necessary, and Bessent has suggested the payments may be tied closely to broader tax cuts already in the works.
What To Know
Trump has continued to promote the idea of providing $2,000 in direct assistance funded by tariff revenue, indicating that Americans could see payments next year.
Bessent previously told ABC News that the plan could take “lots of forms,” potentially materializing through tax reductions already proposed by the administration — “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility of auto loans.”
Asked on Fox News whether Americans will receive the full $2,000 as a direct payment, Bessent replied: “We will see, we need legislation for that.”
He also highlighted the anticipated financial lift for working families from early-2026 refunds and tax relief expected under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
So far, Bessent’s explanation appears different from Trump’s, who has suggested a dedicated $2,000 payout. It remains unclear whether the payments would be separate or integrated into the broader tax and refund package.
The Treasury Secretary indicated that any tariff dividend would include income limitations, echoing Trump’s position that support would target lower- and middle-income households. Specific eligibility thresholds, however, have not yet been shared.
Other officials, including National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, have reinforced that any checks would require congressional action.
What People Are Saying
President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday that the administration is planning for next-year distribution of “a dividend” made possible by tariffs — and that debt reduction efforts will continue simultaneously.
What Happens Next
Congress must pass legislation to authorize the $2,000 payments, and the administration has yet to determine the exact structure of the proposed support.
