A highly anticipated stimulus check proposal linked to government savings may not deliver the full $5,000 payment originally suggested. James Fishback, CEO of Azoria Investment Firm and a key advocate of the DOGE Dividend initiative, has confirmed that the final payout will depend on the actual cost reductions achieved by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The program, backed by President Donald Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk, proposes redistributing 20 percent of the savings generated through spending cuts to American taxpayers. However, with fluctuating federal expenditures and growing fiscal deficits, the feasibility of these payments remains uncertain.
How the DOGE Stimulus Check Works
The DOGE initiative aims to reduce operational costs by streamlining federal agencies. Under the plan, 20 percent of the projected $2 trillion in savings over the next 18 months would be returned to taxpayers, amounting to a $5,000 check per taxpaying household. However, Fishback has acknowledged that these figures are not guaranteed.
“If the total savings amount to just $1 trillion, checks could be $2,500 per household,” Fishback stated. “If savings reach only $500 billion, payments could drop to $1,250.”
Challenges Facing the DOGE Stimulus Plan
Despite strong support from Trump and Musk, recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) data suggests that the anticipated savings have yet to materialize. Federal spending in February 2025 increased by 7 percent compared to the previous year, contributing to a 5 percent rise in the national deficit.
Additionally, while DOGE’s goal is to reduce inefficiencies, the CBO reports that the federal government borrowed $1.1 trillion in the first five months of Fiscal Year 2025, casting doubt on the program’s ability to generate sufficient surplus for large-scale taxpayer refunds.
What’s Next for the DOGE Dividend Plan?
Although the concept has gained momentum, the DOGE stimulus check is still in the proposal stage. Legislative approval would be required before any payments are distributed, and the earliest projected rollout would be in 2026. Critics argue that while the initiative promotes public engagement in identifying government waste, its long-term viability remains questionable.
Senator Ron Johnson has voiced skepticism, stating that government savings should first be used to balance the federal budget. Meanwhile, policy experts warn that without a clear path to sustained spending reductions, the promised $5,000 checks may never reach taxpayers.
For now, Americans will have to wait for further legislative developments to determine if the DOGE Dividend plan can become a reality.