President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his earlier announcement, stating that the federal government will issue $2,000 dividend payments to low- and middle-income Americans. According to Trump, these payments will be funded entirely from what he describes as the “massive” revenue generated by sweeping tariffs the United States has placed on imports from nearly every major trading partner.

On Monday, Trump shared an update on the proposal, emphasizing that the initiative is designed not only to provide direct financial relief to households but also to reduce the federal deficit. After issuing the $2,000 payments, Trump said the remaining tariff revenue would be redirected toward paying down the national debt, which he estimated at $37 trillion.

“All money left over from the $2000 payments made to low and middle income USA Citizens, from the massive Tariff Income pouring into our Country from foreign countries, which will be substantial, will be used to SUBSTANTIALLY PAY DOWN NATIONAL DEBT,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump promises $2,000 for “most Americans”

Trump first floated the idea publicly on Sunday, saying that most Americans — except high-income households — would qualify for the dividend. He repeated that the payments would be financed entirely through tariff revenue collected under the newly expanded U.S. trade measures.

“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he wrote on X.

Trump also went on the offensive against critics of his tariff policies, insisting that the measures have strengthened the U.S. economy.

He claimed the United States is now in a stronger financial position than at any time in recent history, with low inflation, booming financial markets, and record levels in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s.

“People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World, With Almost No Inflation, and A Record Stock Market Price. 401k’s are Highest EVER,” Trump asserted.

The president further stated that the large inflow of tariff revenue would allow the government to begin aggressively paying down the national debt, saying the country is “taking in trillions of dollars” from foreign importers and that industrial investment is rising as companies react to his trade policies.

Tariff revenue hits historic highs — but legal challenges loom

U.S. tariffs are currently at their highest levels in roughly 100 years, and the Treasury Department is collecting around $30 billion per month, according to reporting from Bloomberg. Trump has repeatedly highlighted these numbers, pointing to new factory projects and investments he attributes to his negotiations with global companies and trading partners.

However, the administration’s tariff strategy is not without controversy. The U.S. Supreme Court recently signaled skepticism about whether Trump had the constitutional authority to impose such broad, country-based tariffs without direct approval from Congress. During a hearing last week, several justices questioned the legal foundation of the policy, suggesting that the president may have exceeded his executive powers.

A final Supreme Court ruling is expected before the end of the year — a decision that could either solidify Trump’s tariff authority or unravel one of the central pillars of his economic agenda.