US President Donald Trump has floated a new idea for reducing government spending and saving taxpayer dollars. In an effort to cut waste and increase efficiency, DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) aims to save up to $2 trillion. If successful, the department plans to distribute 20% of the savings to American citizens.
The proposal, which was first suggested by “anti-woke” investor James Fishback, would provide a one-time payment of up to $5,000 to taxpayers. However, economists and experts have raised concerns about the idea’s potential inflationary effects.
Critics argue that such stimulus checks could increase immediate consumer spending, leading to higher prices and inflation. Experts like Jay Zagorsky and Elaine Kamarck from Boston University and Brookings Institution, respectively, have expressed skepticism about the DOGE dividend proposal, citing a lack of savings and potential financial instability.
DOGE’s ability to reach its $2 trillion savings goal remains uncertain, with some estimates suggesting it has only saved around $16.5 billion so far. While President Trump has shown enthusiasm for the idea, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other conservatives have expressed concerns about fiscal responsibility and debt reduction.
If DOGE does achieve its savings goal, Congress would need to approve the dispersal of funds to taxpayers. However, the feasibility of such a program remains unclear due to various economic and financial factors.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/22/doge-dividend-stimulus-checks-trump-musk/79594413007