Trump says DOGE stimulus check is ‘a great idea’ but will GA residents get $5k checks?
Despite President Trump hinting at government refunds and stimulus checks, as reported by the Associated Press, it’s unlikely the Georgia economy will see any money anytime soon.
Rumors of the stimulus checks started when James Fishbeck, CEO from the investment firm Azoria posted on the social media site, X, suggesting Americans should receive a dividend check from the money DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)is meant to find. The idea really took off when DOGE head, Elon Musk responded positively on X, promising to share the idea with the President.
It really caught fire, and the attention of the media, once Trump confirmed the idea to press, including NBC News aboard Air Force One, telling one reporter, “A 20% dividend, so to speak, for the money that we’re saving by going after the waste, fraud and abuse and all of the other things that are happening. I think it’s a great idea.”
How would it work?
If the plan to issue stimulus checks were to move forward, it would follow the same methodology used for the COVID-19 payments in 2020, speculates the Economic Times.
Under that structure, checks would be sent to individuals who:
Had filed tax returns in the two previous years
Received Social Security or veterans benefits
Met income eligibility requirements
Why won’t it work?
Although the idea has been praised by many Americans, it is unlikely that the $5,000 DOGE dividend checks will happen, says Money Magazine online.
Here are the top reasons:
Unrealistic savings target: DOGE’s goal of $2 trillion in savings is both ambitious and potentially unattainable.
Current savings fall short: DOGE claims to have saved $55 billion so far, but independent estimates suggest the actual figure may be closer to $8.6 billion.
Political hurdles: It would require congressional approval, and some Republican lawmakers have already expressed opposition.
Economic concerns: Economists warn that distributing such large checks could fuel inflation, similar to the effects seen from COVID-19 stimulus payments.
Timing issues: The proposed checks wouldn’t be issued until after DOGE expires in July 2026, which is still over a year away.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has been a vocal defendant of DOGE and its efforts to eliminate alleged government waste, so it’s possible that Georgia residents may have an advocate if it ever becomes a real possibility.
What are your thoughts about the possibility of a new round of stimulus checks? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
