When asked about a pledge he made to most Americans, President Trump paused, blinked, and appeared momentarily unsure—a surprising moment that left observers questioning whether the promise was forgotten, misremembered, or simply delayed.
The $2,000 checks, tied to tariff revenue, suddenly seemed more uncertain than ever.
In a recent Oval Office interview, President Donald Trump appeared to momentarily forget a commitment to provide $2,000 payments to the majority of Americans—a plan he had linked to revenue from tariffs.
The exchange grew awkward when Katie Rogers of The New York Times reminded him of the pledge. Trump, who had previously suggested the checks would be issued before the 2026 midterm elections, seemed puzzled. “I did do that? When did I do that?” he asked.
After a brief pause, he clarified that he had been thinking of a separate initiative—the $1,776 bonus for military service members. Nonetheless, Trump maintained that the $2,000 payments were still expected later this year, citing anticipated tariff revenues as the funding source.
Tariff Revenue as a Funding Source
The plan to issue $2,000 payments to middle- and lower-income Americans was tied to revenue generated from Trump’s tariffs. However, the timing of the payouts remains unclear. Trump told reporters, “The tariff money is so substantial that’s coming in, that I’ll be able to do 2,000 sometime, I would say, toward the end of the year.”
Experts question whether enough revenue will materialize. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, distributing $2,000 checks to most Americans would cost roughly $600 billion—far exceeding expected tariff income.
As of September 30, tariffs had generated about $90 billion, well below the estimated amount needed.
Legal and Economic Challenges
Legal disputes over tariffs could also affect whether the payments are made. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on their legality, and an adverse decision could require refunds, reducing funds available for the checks.
Economic concerns further complicate matters. Using tariff revenue for broad payments could increase inflationary pressures. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has advised that any incoming funds should be saved rather than spent immediately to mitigate economic risks. Some Republican lawmakers have also warned that using tariff funds for checks could aggravate inflation, which, although lower than in previous years, remains a notable concern.
Conclusion
While President Trump insists the $2,000 payments are still possible, limited tariff revenue, potential legal setbacks, and inflation risks make the promise far from certain. For now, Americans can only wait and watch as financial and legal factors determine whether the pledged checks ever reach their bank accounts.