Trump’s $2,000 Tariff Checks: Congress Must Still Press ‘Go’

KEY POINTS

•Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox News Sunday that Trump’s $2,000 tariff dividend checks need congressional approval.
•Trump announced the idea originally in August and later on Truth Social, promising payments excluding high-income individuals.
•Bessent mentioned income limits on the checks, calling recipients ‘working families,’ but stopped short of guaranteeing payouts.
•Economists warn the payments might increase inflation or worsen the national debt amid ongoing concerns about rising costs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who moonlights as the US-China trade talks anchor, reluctantly revealed that President Trump’s flashy $2,000 tariff dividend checks—originally promised like a holiday bonus since August—aren’t dropping into your bank account anytime soon. Despite Trump bragging on Truth Social about ‘at least $2,000’ going to all but ‘high income people,’ Bessent reminded America that Congress must hold the golden key to unlock this mythical payout. On Fox News Sunday, Bessent played it thrillingly vague, saying payments ‘could go out’ with income limits because, of course, nothing in Washington is a sure thing. Meanwhile, economists nervously finger the inflation fire like it's Thanksgiving leftovers, worried this generosity might just crank up prices or swell the national debt. Because if there’s anything Americans love more than money, it's waiting for Congress to give them money—with strings attached, naturally.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Trump wants to send $2,000 tariff checks but first needs Congress’ permission—America, the only land where ‘free money’ involves more paperwork than your tax return.

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