In a recent speech to Congress, President Trump outlined his vision, highlighting a potential initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which could provide $5,000 checks to American taxpayers. This proposal, inspired by CEO James Fishback, suggests allocating 20% of DOGE savings to citizens and another 20% for debt reduction. However, no immediate stimulus checks from DOGE are expected, as congressional approval is necessary. Unlike past pandemic checks, which were issued broadly, the DOGE dividends would target tax-paying households, funded by DOGE savings, aiming to minimize inflationary effects.
‘Just getting started’: Trump speech on DOGE, budget and border
During a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump articulated his vision for the upcoming four years.
The prospect of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) check continues to generate buzz, as it could potentially provide $5,000 for each citizen.
Trump initially introduced the concept, which originated from investment firm CEO James Fishback, in late February.
“We are looking into allocating 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and another 20% for debt reduction,” Trump mentioned during his address at the Saudi-sponsored FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami Beach last month.
This announcement coincided with a report from USA TODAY indicating that DOGE’s website had published misleading figures regarding its claimed savings, including an inaccurate $8 billion figure.
But how would this new stimulus check come into being? Here’s what you need to understand:
Is there a DOGE stimulus check?
There is currently no indication that DOGE will issue a stimulus check from any cost-cutting efforts. For any financial assistance from the U.S. government to be realized, it would require Congressional approval. In short, do not expect anything to materialize in the near future.
Did individuals get stimulus checks in 2025?
Yes, some individuals did.
The Internal Revenue Service provided a stimulus check to taxpayers who missed out on claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. This credit was intended for those who did not receive prior stimulus payments.
This stimulus, announced in December under the Biden administration, came after IRS data revealed that numerous eligible taxpayers who filed a 2021 return failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The stimulus payments were distributed in December and January, with those eligible receiving as much as $1,400, according to the IRS.
Can someone still claim the $1,400 stimulus check?
Taxpayers who did not submit a 2021 tax return may still qualify for the stimulus check if they file their return and request the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 15, as per the IRS.
What is DOGE?
DOGE, officially referred to as the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, is an initiative launched by Trump and spearheaded by “special government employee” Musk.
Its objective is to reduce federal spending, deregulate policies, and “modernize federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.”
Who would receive $5,000 DOGE stimulus checks?
While Trump did not provide further specifics about the potential DOGE dividend, Fishback’s four-page proposal described the DOGE refund as one “issued solely to tax-paying households” and suggested that it would be aimed at households exceeding a certain income threshold, contrasting with the indiscriminate nature of pandemic-era checks.
Highlighting the distinction from previous stimulus checks, Fishback remarked that DOGE payments would not contribute to inflation, as they would be “entirely funded by DOGE-driven savings, unlike COVID stimulus checks which were financed through deficits.”
“Many low-income households effectively received transfers that constituted 25% to 30% of their annual income,” Fishback noted about the pandemic stimulus checks, adding that “the DOGE dividend would exclusively benefit households that are net-payers of federal income tax, indicating they tend to save rather than spend transfer payments.”