Former President Donald Trump floated a proposal over the weekend to distribute a $2,000 dividend to most Americans, funded by tariff revenues, as part of a broader dialogue over federal spending and health care policy. Trump made the statements across multiple posts on his Truth Social platform on Saturday and Sunday. The proposal comes during an ongoing government shutdown and as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs arguments over presidential tariff authority.
In one post, Trump said he was recommending to Senate Republicans that funds currently allocated to insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act be redirected directly to individuals. He also suggested transferring that money into Health Savings Accounts, which allow tax-free savings for medical expenses. The most direct proposal came Sunday, when Trump stated, “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.” He added that tariff revenue would also help pay down the national debt, currently estimated at $37 trillion.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded on ABC’s “This Week,” saying that he had not spoken with the president about the $2,000 proposal, and its potential form remained unclear. Bessent noted that such a dividend could be part of broader efforts to reduce taxes on items such as Social Security, tips, overtime pay, and auto loans. However, he emphasized that any legislative proposals would have to wait until the federal government reopens. “We are not going to negotiate with the Democrats until they reopen the government,” Bessent said.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, called the proposal an attempt to find common ground with lawmakers. Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Hassett said Trump was “brainstorming” and encouraging Senate Republicans to find a way to end the shutdown. “Everybody believes that people should have health care, and so why not take the people who have higher health care premiums and just mail them a check and let them decide,” Hassett said. He added that the idea had only emerged over the weekend and had not yet undergone formal legislative scrutiny.
The concept of tariff-based rebates has been introduced before. In early 2025, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) proposed legislation that would provide $600 checks to most Americans and their dependents, funded by revenue from tariffs. The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee but has not advanced.
It remains unclear how many New Hampshire residents would qualify for Trump’s proposed $2,000 dividend, especially given the mention of excluding high-income earners. Details on income thresholds, distribution mechanisms, and legislative support have not been provided. Until any proposal is formally introduced and debated by Congress, no timeline exists for potential payments.
Trump’s statements appear to be part of a larger strategy to pressure both Democrats and Senate Republicans amid unresolved budget negotiations. While the dividend proposal has attracted national attention, officials are treating it primarily as an initial idea rather than a developed policy. For now, any developments remain tied to broader fiscal negotiations and the outcome of the current government shutdown. The shutdown has already caused disruptions across the country, including delays in SNAP benefits that left thousands of New Hampshire families scrambling for food assistance.
