19Fortyfive, January 2026
Donald Trump has floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks funded by tariff revenue, and recently suggested he could do it without Congress. Economists cited in the reporting argue the numbers do not add up, with one estimate putting a $2,000 rebate at about $450 billion—roughly double projected 2026 tariff revenue in the same analysis. The plan also runs into a basic constraint: large direct payments typically require congressional authorization. Meanwhile, scam texts and emails promising “tariff rebate” checks are proliferating, with state officials warning recipients not to share information or pay fees.
