Trump announces $2,000 ‘dividend’ to Americans, says ‘people against tariffs are fools’

Washington:
US President Donald Trump has once again defended his controversial tariff policy, asserting that the aggressive trade levies introduced under his administration have transformed the United States into the “richest” and “most respected” country in the world. Calling critics of tariffs “fools,” Trump announced that every American — except high-income individuals — would soon receive a “dividend of at least $2,000 per person” from the revenues generated by tariffs.

Trump’s bold claim: ‘People against tariffs are fools’

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:

Trump added that his administration’s trade policies have triggered record investment across the US, stating that “plants and factories are going up all over the place” and promising that “a dividend of at least $2,000 per person (not including high-income people)” would be paid to all Americans from tariff revenues.

A screenshot of his Truth Social post shared by media outlets shows Trump describing the initiative as a way to directly return “tariff income” to citizens, positioning it as a populist economic move ahead of the 2025 election season.

Tariffs and economic nationalism

Since his return to office, Trump has consistently defended his trade protectionist stance, arguing that tariffs safeguard American jobs, industries, and national security. He claims the policy has not only revived domestic manufacturing but also attracted global businesses to relocate operations to US soil.

“Businesses are pouring into the USA only because of tariffs,” Trump said, framing the policy as the cornerstone of America’s new economic strength.

However, economists remain divided. While supporters argue that tariffs encourage local production and reduce dependency on foreign markets, critics say they increase consumer prices and strain international trade relations, especially with key partners like China, the European Union, and Canada.

Trump questions presidential powers over trade

In a fiery follow-up post, Trump also challenged the limits of presidential authority in imposing tariffs, referencing ongoing legal battles in the US Supreme Court.

He criticized what he described as “double standards” in trade law and claimed that “other countries can tariff us, but we can’t tariff them,” calling it “their dream.”

Supreme Court reviews legality of Trump-era tariffs

Trump’s comments come just days after the US Supreme Court began hearing arguments regarding the legality of the sweeping tariffs imposed during his previous term, including those on steel, aluminum, and imports from major economies like China and the EU.

The case, viewed as one of the most consequential economic disputes in recent years, will determine whether the president has the constitutional authority to impose global tariffs without explicit congressional approval.

According to CNN, several justices — including Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh — expressed skepticism over the scope of presidential power used to justify those tariffs. Justice Barrett notably questioned why the tariffs applied “reciprocally” to countries that were not direct threats to national security.

Administration remains confident

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who attended the hearing, characterized the matter as an “economic emergency” requiring decisive executive action. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s confidence in the legality of Trump’s measures.

What the $2,000 ‘dividend’ could mean

While details about the proposed “tariff dividend” remain unclear, Trump’s announcement signals a populist effort to turn tariff revenue into direct benefits for American citizens — similar in tone to stimulus checks issued during past economic crises.

Economists, however, warn that such payments would depend on the volume and sustainability of tariff collections, which could fluctuate depending on global trade dynamics and retaliatory measures from other nations.

If implemented, the policy could mark the first direct redistribution of tariff revenue to US citizens in modern history — a move likely to stir both economic debate and political momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Key Takeaways

• Trump announced a $2,000 per person dividend to be paid from tariff revenues.
• He defended his aggressive tariff policy, calling critics “fools.”
• The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of his global tariffs.
• The administration insists tariffs make the US “richer, stronger, and more self-reliant.”
• Economists remain divided on whether tariffs truly benefit average Americans.