Trump floating returning 20% of DOGE savings to American people
President Donald Trump made headlines on Wednesday when he suggested the idea of delivering 20% of the savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directly to the American people. This proposal would involve giving U.S. citizens personal checks as a dividend for taxpaying households, while another 20% would be allocated towards paying down the national debt.
Speaking at an event in Miami Beach, Florida, Trump emphasized the potential benefits of this plan, stating, “There’s even under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens, and 20% goes to paying down debt, because the numbers are incredible.”
The concept of a “DOGE dividend” was initially suggested by users on X (formerly Twitter) to Elon Musk, who expressed interest in the idea of providing payouts of $5,000 to individuals. Musk indicated that he would discuss the proposal with President Trump to explore its feasibility.
During the event in Florida, a reporter directly questioned Trump about the proposed dividend. The President responded enthusiastically, stating, “I love it. A 20% dividend, so to speak, for the money that we’re saving by going after the waste, fraud, and abuse and all of the other things that are happening. I think it’s a great idea.”
Trump further suggested that the dividend could serve as an incentive for Americans to report instances of government waste, thereby contributing to further savings for the country.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already claimed to have saved approximately $55 billion through cuts to various government agencies. However, some of DOGE’s cost-cutting measures are facing legal challenges.
It is important to note that DOGE is currently scheduled to be operational only until July 4, 2026, after which the organization will be dissolved. Trump has not yet clarified what his administration would do with the remaining 60% of DOGE savings if the proposed dividend plan moves forward.
As discussions surrounding the “DOGE dividend” continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this innovative approach to utilizing government savings will impact American citizens and the nation’s overall financial landscape.
