Here’s what Americans need to know.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the Trump administration is weighing income limits for President Trump’s proposed $2,000 tariff rebate checks, signaling the plan may focus on middle-class and working families, not high earners.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Bessent said one option would restrict the rebate to families earning under $100,000 a year.
He stressed that no final decision has been made, but the president wants the relief targeted at Americans who need it most.
The proposal gained traction last week after President Trump endured a tough Supreme Court hearing regarding his reciprocal tariff powers, a key tool in his trade strategy. Trump told supporters that a “$2,000 dividend” was under consideration, though details were still developing.
Bessent later told ABC’s This Week that Trump’s rebate could be delivered through direct payments, tax cuts, or a mix of both. He pointed to major tax relief already secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed earlier this year, which cut taxes on tips, overtime, Social Security, and more — leading to larger refunds for American workers.
He also highlighted the new “Trump Accounts”—automatic savings accounts for children under 18 from 2025 to 2028. Each child receives a $1,000 deposit from the federal government, designed to help families build long-term financial security.
However, any large payout program would require Congressional approval, and some Republicans remain hesitant because of the nation’s $37 trillion debt. Analysts note that Trump’s IEEPA tariffs have brought in roughly $90 billion, far below what full $2,000 checks for all Americans would cost.
Even limiting checks to households under $100,000 would carry an estimated $300 billion price tag, according to independent tax experts.
Complicating matters further, if the Supreme Court restricts Trump’s tariff authority, the administration may be forced to refund importers, cutting revenue even more.
Despite those challenges, Bessent argued that Trump’s policies are already easing the affordability crisis left behind by the Biden administration. He said inflation has stabilized, and real wages are now rising thanks to Trump’s push for private-sector job growth instead of government-dependent employment.
“We inherited the worst inflation in 40 or 50 years,” Bessent said. “President Trump has it leveling off, and incomes are finally starting to climb again.”
As discussions continue, the rebate plan remains centered on one goal: direct, meaningful relief for American families struggling with high prices and years of economic mismanagement.