Overview
- Trump told reporters the payments will not arrive for the holidays and offered no firm date beyond next year.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said legislation is required and that details such as eligibility and delivery method, including a possible income cap near $100,000, remain undecided.
- National Economic Council chief Kevin Hassett said tariff receipts could provide room for the checks, but independent analysts dispute the math.
- The Treasury recorded roughly $195 billion in customs duties in fiscal 2025, while estimates put the cost near $300 billion if narrowly targeted or about $600 billion if designed like past pandemic payments.
- A Supreme Court challenge to the administration’s tariff authority could cut or erase expected revenue, and several Republicans warn the proposal could add to debt or fuel price pressures.