Here’s what President Trump said.
President Donald Trump confirmed this week that his administration is seriously considering a bold new idea: rebate checks for the American people funded by tariff revenues.
During a Cabinet meeting, Trump explained that tariffs have been pouring money into the U.S. Treasury at record levels. “We have a lot of money coming in—tremendous numbers,” he said. “There’s a concept of making a dividend to the people of this country who have paid a lot of taxes and got nothing for it.”
While the President emphasized that his priority remains paying down the national debt, he acknowledged the possibility of taking “a piece of it” and directing it straight back to hardworking Americans.
Trump’s Tariffs Fueling Historic Revenue
Shortly into his second term, President Trump expanded tariffs on foreign imports to correct unfair trade imbalances and strengthen American industry. Those measures are now delivering unprecedented results.
Customs duties in 2025 have surged to all-time highs. By late July, collections hit $150 billion for the year—including nearly $28 billion in a single month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said annual revenues could surpass $500 billion and may eventually approach $1 trillion.
“These tariffs are bringing in massive amounts of money that past presidents never even dreamed of,” Trump told reporters. “We’re thinking about a little rebate, but the big thing is paying down the debt.”
Hawley’s Plan: Checks for Workers and Families
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has already taken the idea a step further. In July, he introduced the American Worker Rebate Act, a plan to use tariff revenue for direct payments to U.S. households.
Under Hawley’s proposal, families could receive checks similar to the pandemic-era relief payments. Minimum payouts would start at $600 per adult and dependent—$2,400 for a family of four—with the potential for even larger amounts as tariff revenues climb.
“Americans deserve a tax rebate after four years of Biden policies that devastated savings and livelihoods,” Hawley said. “Like President Trump suggested, my plan would allow hardworking Americans to benefit directly from the wealth Trump’s tariffs are bringing back to this country.”
WATCH:
Trump on rebate checks: "We have a lot of money coming in. Rebate checks for Americans… There is a concept of making a dividend for the people who've had to suffer. There is a possibility."
You're gonna be waiting like the DOGE checks pic.twitter.com/PJM3plfO77
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) August 26, 2025
Pushback From Critics
Not everyone in Washington is on board. Some lawmakers, pointing to the $37 trillion national debt, are skeptical. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) blasted the idea, saying: “We’re going to borrow money to send it to the American people? There is no rebate if there’s no money.”
Others, including Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), warned the move could fuel inflation. Moreno dismissed the proposal as “insane” and “extraordinarily inflationary.”
What Comes Next
President Trump has not yet revealed specific details, such as who would qualify for rebate checks or how much they might be worth. Still, the fact that his administration is openly discussing the idea signals that Americans could soon see tangible benefits from tariff revenues.
With consumer prices still elevated and the national debt weighing heavily, the debate over whether to use tariffs to pay down debt—or put money directly into Americans’ pockets—will likely intensify in the months ahead.
For many conservatives, however, one thing is clear: Trump’s tariffs are proving that America can win again on the world stage, and ordinary Americans may soon see that victory reflected in their own wallets.
