President Donald Trump said Monday that Americans could begin receiving $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks as early as mid-2026 — his clearest timeline yet for a proposal he has repeatedly promoted this year. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the payments as direct relief for Americans struggling with rising costs. He said the checks would send “thousands of dollars” to working- and middle-class individuals and would be funded through tariff revenues generated by his trade policies.

But despite the confident projection, the plan faces a major hurdle: it cannot move forward without congressional approval. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed over the weekend that lawmakers must pass legislation before any checks can be issued, and it’s unclear whether Congress will support such a large new program.

Early estimates suggest the cost could exceed $200 billion if distributed to individuals rather than households — far more than tariff revenues collected in 2025 and nearly half of what is expected in 2026. That means the program would require a significant jump in tariff income, new borrowing, or cuts elsewhere in the budget.

The timing of Trump’s announcement comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the legality of his tariffs, including national security-based duties. A ruling against the administration could disrupt his trade agenda and potentially force the government to issue massive refunds.

If implemented on Trump’s proposed schedule, the payments would arrive just months before the 2026 midterm elections, offering voters a substantial financial boost. But economists warn that injecting hundreds of billions into the economy could revive inflation — a risk the administration insists it can manage. For now, the dividend plan remains only a proposal until Congress acts. Sources: Axios