President Trump suggests $2k payouts to Americans as he defends his tariffs

President Trump suggested tariff revenue could be used to fund payments of at least $2,000 to most Americans. This suggestion came after the Supreme Court appeared skeptical of the legal backing for many of his tariffs.

“A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” Trump said in a post that began: “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!”

When asked about Trump’s comments in an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that while an initial result of tariffs is to generate a surge of revenue for the government, the long-term goal is to “rebalance trade” by restoring manufacturing to the United States.

The increase in manufacturing would lead to a decline in tariff revenue, Bessent said, but would bolster tax revenue. “It’s not about taking in the revenue. It’s about rebalancing,” Bessent said.

Bessent suggested that the dividend could take the form of paying for “the tax decreases that we are seeing on the president’s agenda,” citing the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, among other things.

Last week, the Trump administration in a Supreme Court case defended the legality of the widespread imposition of tariffs on foreign goods. Opponents of Trump’s tariffs argue that the tariffs are a tax on American businesses and consumers, and that by imposing them in the way he has done, the president usurped Congress’ constitutionally granted authority to tax.

“To have the president’s foreign affairs power trump that basic power for Congress seems to me to kind of neutralize between the two powers, the executive power and the legislative power,” said Chief Justice John Roberts in questioning during oral arguments Wednesday.

Trump mocked that argument in a separate TruthSocial post Sunday: “So, let’s get this straight??? The President of the United States is allowed (and fully approved by Congress!) to stop ALL TRADE with a Foreign Country (Which is far more onerous than a Tariff!), and LICENSE a Foreign Country, but is not allowed to put a simple Tariff on a Foreign Country, even for purposes of NATIONAL SECURITY. That is NOT what our great Founders had in mind! The whole thing is ridiculous!”

Mr Trump has insisted that his tariffs are a key part of a plan to bolster the American economy to unseen heights. “Businesses are pouring into the USA ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS. HAS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOT BEEN TOLD THIS??? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??? President DJT,” he concluded.

As of now, it looks more likely than not that President Trump’s tariffs will be struck down by the Supreme Court. How the President would respond should that happen is unknown.