In the past few weeks, there has been more talk that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) might give $5,000 checks to American taxpayers. The plan, which sounds a lot like the stimulus checks that were given out during the pandemic, wants to give back 20% of the agency’s savings to the people.
The 30-year-old businessman James Fishback came up with the idea for the “DOGE Dividend,” which has gained support since former President Donald Trump backed it.
The plan has gotten a lot of interest on social media and in politics, but it may not be able to happen because of big problems with the law and the economy.
What does the “DOGE Dividend” idea mean?
As says that Musk is in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, whose job it is to cut down on government spending and make the best use of resources.
Fishback says the plan could save $2 trillion, with the government getting $400 billion of that money immediately. About 79 million eligible people would each get a $5,000 check if the plan was put into action.
Musk agreed with the idea on X (formerly Twitter) and said he would talk to President Trump about it. A few days later, at the Future Investment Initiative Institute Priority Summit, Trump said that he agreed with the idea and that his government is “thinking about giving 20% back to the American people and using another 20% to pay off debt.”
What Problems Does It Take to Get Approval?
Even though the idea is getting support, it still has a long way to go before it becomes a reality. To begin with, Congress would have to agree to the bill, which is not a sure thing.
A big point of disagreement is how it will affect the economy. Lawmakers from the Republican Party have often said bad things about stimulus programs, saying they cause inflation and more debt for the government.
Additionally, DOGE can’t say for sure how much money it can save because many of its efforts to cut costs could be challenged in court.
People are interested in the idea of DOGE checks, but it’s still not clear what will happen. For now, economists and politicians are arguing over whether such a plan is possible or just another empty political promise that will not be kept.
