Trump floats sending $1K or $2K tariff rebate checks to Americans

President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration is considering using money it brings in through his tariff plan to send a rebate of roughly $1,000 to Americans. 

The comment is the first time Trump gave a figure on potential rebates. The president previously expressed support for tariff rebate checks in July and Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley introduced legislation that would send at least $600 to every American adult and child in a rebate that is similar to pandemic-era stimulus checks.

Trump told the OAN television network that tariff revenues are just now starting to kick in and that he would be spending some of that revenue on paying down the federal debt. But he said other parts of the revenue could go to Americans.

"We also might make a distribution to the people, almost like a dividend to the people of America," Trump said, per Reuters. "We've [been] thinking maybe $1,000 to $2,000. It'd be great."

Trump also spoke about the current government shutdown, which took effect Wednesday, and said he could cut some federal projects that Democrats like if it continues for much longer, though he did not indicate what the projects could be.

"We could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and they'd be permanently cut," he said, adding, "I am allowed to cut things that should have never been approved in the first place and I will probably do that."

The Senate's next vote on reopening the government is Friday. The Senate will vote on competing continuing resolutions, one of which passed the House last month and would keep the government funded through Nov. 21.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.