President Donald Trump’s idea of issuing $2,000 stimulus checks is back in the spotlight after new comments from Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council and a White House adviser. Trump first raised the proposal in November, suggesting that revenue from tariffs could fund what he described as a “dividend” for Americans—excluding high-income earners.
At the time, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone.”
What Kevin Hassett said
Hassett recently addressed the proposal’s prospects, emphasizing that it cannot proceed without Congress.
Appearing on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Hassett said the plan will “depend on what happens with Congress,” as cited by Inquisitr.
“I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen,” Hassett said. He added that any payments would require lawmakers to approve funding before the Treasury Department could issue checks.
Funding questions and expert skepticism
Trump has argued that tariff revenue could cover the cost of the $2,000 payments. But budget experts have pushed back on that claim.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget previously estimated that sending $2,000 checks to most Americans could cost as much as $600 billion—far more than the additional revenue expected from tariffs, according to Inquisitr.
Hassett defended the broader concept by pointing out that government income comes from multiple sources. “In the end, you know, we get taxes, we get tariffs, we get revenue from lots of places, and then Congress decides how to spend that money. That’s an appropriation,” he said.
Legal uncertainty could affect tariff revenue
Another hurdle is legal scrutiny surrounding Trump’s tariff policies. The Supreme Court is set to review whether the former president had the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If the court rules against the administration, tariff-related revenue could shrink significantly.
According to Inquisitr, several retailers—including Costco—have filed lawsuits seeking reimbursement for tariffs they paid if the policy is found unconstitutional. Hassett, however, said he expects the administration to prevail, stating, “We really expect the Supreme Court is going to find with us.”
Where things stand now
Hassett’s remarks make clear that the $2,000 stimulus checks remain a proposal, not an active policy. Congressional approval, unresolved legal challenges, and ongoing debate about whether tariffs could generate enough funding are the main factors standing between the idea and any actual payments.
