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Speculation is swirling around the possibility of a $5,000 DOGE stimulus payment for American households after former President Donald Trump hinted at the idea during a recent summit.
However, despite the buzz, there are significant hurdles that make its approval unlikely.
Everything to know about DOGE's Dividend Proposal
The concept of a DOGE-funded stimulus check gained traction after James Fishback, CEO of Azoria Investment Firm, suggested that savings from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could be redistributed to taxpayers.
Trump acknowledged the idea at the FII PRIORITY Summit, where Musk was in attendance, stating that 20% of DOGE's budget reductions could be given directly to Americans.
Social media quickly amplified the discussion, with viral posts suggesting households could receive as much as $8,000.
Musk fueled speculation further with a cryptic response on X: "Will check with the President."
Is there enough money for a $5,000 payout?
Fishback's proposal outlines:
- $5,000 per household for 79 million taxpayers
- Funded by 20% of DOGE's projected $2 trillion in savings
- Payments to be issued after DOGE expires in July 2026
The challenge? There's no clear evidence that DOGE's savings are anywhere close to $2 trillion.
While Musk initially claimed the initiative could cut that amount in government spending, he later walked back on that figure when questioned.
Current estimates suggest DOGE has only saved about $4 billion-a fraction of what would be needed.
Even if DOGE achieved massive savings, several obstacles remain:
- Congressional Approval: There has been no legislative action to authorize such payments.
- Deficit Concerns: The GOP-backed tax package, ed by Trump, is projected to increase the deficit by over $4 trillion-outpacing any potential DOGE savings.
- Legal Challenges: Musk's cost-cutting measures have already sparked legal objections, raising doubts about whether DOGE can sustain its current course.
At this point, no official confirmation s the idea of a $5,000 DOGE stimulus.
While Trump has historically backed direct payments, such as the stimulus checks issued during his presidency, there's little indication that this particular proposal will move forward.
For now, the DOGE Dividend remains more of a viral talking point than a tangible reality.