In a moment that quickly drew attention across political and media circles, President Donald Trump appeared uncertain about one of his most talked-about financial promises: issuing $2,000 checks to millions of Americans. The exchange unfolded during a recent Oval Office interview and left even seasoned reporters surprised by the president’s response.
The awkward moment came when Katie Rogers of The New York Times asked Trump for an update on the $2,000 payments he had previously said would be funded through revenue generated by his sweeping tariffs.
Rather than offering a clear update, Trump looked confused and asked, “I did do that? When did I do that?” The question sparked immediate reactions online, with critics and supporters alike questioning whether the president had forgotten a major pledge tied to household finances.
After a brief pause, Trump clarified that he may have been thinking about a different proposal — a $1,776 bonus aimed at U.S. service members, a figure symbolically linked to the nation’s founding year. However, despite the initial confusion, Trump insisted that the broader $2,000 checks for Americans were still very much on the table.
According to the president, the payments would likely be issued toward the end of the year, made possible by what he described as “substantial” tariff revenue flowing into government coffers. Trump has repeatedly argued that tariffs on imported goods would not only protect American industries but also generate enough money to fund direct payments to middle- and lower-income households.
“The tariff money is so substantial that’s coming in,” Trump said, adding that it would allow him to “do 2,000 sometime, I would say, toward the end of the year.”
However, economists and budget watchdogs remain skeptical. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated that sending $2,000 checks to most Americans would cost roughly $600 billion — a figure far higher than the revenue generated so far.
As of now, tariff collections reportedly totaled around $90 billion, leaving a significant gap between available funds and the projected cost of the program.
Beyond funding concerns, legal and economic obstacles could further complicate the plan. Trump’s tariffs are currently facing legal challenges, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule on their legality. If the court sides against the administration, the government could be forced to refund some or all of the tariff revenue, potentially wiping out the funding source Trump is counting on.
Inflation is another major concern. While inflation has cooled compared to previous years, it remains a sensitive issue for American voters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that distributing large sums of money directly to consumers could reignite inflationary pressures. He has even suggested that if Americans do receive the checks, they should consider saving rather than spending them.
Several Republican lawmakers have echoed those concerns, cautioning that tariff-funded payments could undermine recent progress on inflation and complicate broader economic stability.
For now, Americans are left with more questions than answers. Trump continues to signal confidence that the payments will happen, but uncertainty around funding, legal rulings, and economic impact has cast doubt over the promise. Whether the $2,000 checks materialize — or become another unfulfilled pledge — may depend on factors well beyond the president’s control.