Overview
- In a New York Times Oval Office interview, Trump initially questioned whether he had promised $2,000 tariff-funded checks before reiterating the idea.
- He shifted the expected payout to “toward the end of the year,” moving later than prior mid‑2026 suggestions.
- Trump said he does not believe congressional approval is required, a stance at odds with public statements by NEC Director Kevin Hassett and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that legislation would be needed.
- Nonpartisan estimates put a single round of $2,000 payments near $600 billion, exceeding projected annual tariff receipts of roughly $200–$300 billion.
- A pending Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the administration’s broad tariffs could force refunds of collected duties, imperiling the plan’s claimed funding source.