President Donald Trump on Friday announced his administration is considering issuing rebate checks to Americans, citing record-setting tariff revenue pouring into the U.S. Treasury.
“We’ve got so much money coming in,” President Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before departing for Scotland. “We’re thinking about a little rebate—but the big thing we want to do is pay down debt.”
The idea stems from the more than $100 billion the U.S. has collected in customs duties so far in the 2025 fiscal year, including $27 billion in June alone. Trump’s expansive use of tariffs—imposed on trading partners to combat immigration, drug trafficking, and trade imbalances—has generated mixed economic results, contributing to market volatility and higher consumer prices.
Details Still Unclear
The president floated the idea of a “small rebate” targeted at Americans within certain income brackets but did not specify eligibility requirements or the potential dollar amount.
“We think a little rebate for people of a certain income level might be very nice,” Trump said. However, he emphasized that reducing the national debt—now over $36 trillion—remains the administration’s primary focus.
Reactions Roll In
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) responded swiftly on X, pledging to introduce legislation for direct rebate checks:
“I will introduce legislation in the Senate to send a rebate check to every working person in America,” Hawley posted Friday.
Others were more skeptical. Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, noted the move effectively acknowledges the burden tariffs place on consumers:
“Interesting way to concede that tariffs—trade taxes—are going to be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices and inflation,” he wrote on X.
Next Steps
Trump’s remarks came just ahead of his departure to Scotland for a five-day trip, where he is expected to visit his golf courses and meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Meanwhile, the White House is facing an August 1 deadline to reach a new trade agreement with the European Union. Without a deal, President Trump has pledged to implement a sweeping 30% tariff on all EU imports.
