A bold new proposal, known as the “DOGE Dividend,” could soon become law. The plan suggests distributing 20% of government savings back to taxpayers, and it has already won support from former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The idea comes from James Fishback, a 28-year-old hedge fund manager, who recently met with Musk and has begun discussing the proposal with lawmakers. “The president supports this, and Elon likes the idea of incentivizing people to report waste, fraud, and abuse,” Fishback told The Post. “The proposed bill will be coming in the next few days.”
Fishback believes the plan will not only benefit taxpayers directly but also help reduce government waste and strengthen the economy.
How the DOGE dividend would work
Under Fishback’s plan, households that are net taxpayers—meaning they pay more in taxes than they receive in government benefits—would receive 20% of all savings generated by the DOGE initiative.
Here’s how the remaining funds would be allocated:
- 20% to pay down the national debt
- 60% to be used in the annual federal budget
While the exact details of the budget allocation are not fully outlined, Fishback estimates that the savings could be significant. If Musk successfully cuts $2 trillion from government spending, as he has suggested he can, then around 79 million households could receive checks of about $5,000 each.
When would americans get their checks?
Fishback initially suggested that the first DOGE Dividend checks would be distributed in July 2026, when the DOGE initiative officially ends. However, if Congress passes the proposal into law sooner, Americans could receive their payouts earlier.
“The first check could come sooner if the bill passes,” Fishback noted. This has fueled excitement among taxpayers who would benefit from the extra money, especially during a time of economic uncertainty.
Growing support from Musk and Trump
The DOGE Dividend proposal first gained public attention after Fishback shared the idea on X (formerly Twitter). Musk quickly responded by “quote tweeting” the idea, expressing his support.
Former President Trump also endorsed the concept in a speech last week, adding to its momentum. With backing from two of the most influential figures in politics and business, the proposal is gaining traction in Washington.
Could the plan cause inflation?
Some economists have raised concerns that sending checks to millions of Americans could drive up inflation, similar to what happened with pandemic stimulus payments. However, Fishback argues that the DOGE Dividend is different.
“This is a targeted approach,” he explained. “We’re only giving money to net taxpayers, not just distributing checks to everyone. That helps avoid inflationary pressure.”
Unlike previous stimulus checks, which were funded by government borrowing, the DOGE Dividend would be funded by actual savings from reducing waste, fraud, and unnecessary government spending. This could make the plan more sustainable in the long run.
What’s next?
With a bill expected to be introduced soon, lawmakers will have to decide whether to support the DOGE Dividend. If it passes, millions of taxpayers could see a financial boost in the coming years.
As discussions continue, the proposal is already reshaping the conversation around government savings, accountability, and taxpayer rewards. Whether or not it becomes law, the idea has sparked a national debate about how the government should manage its budget—and how much of those savings should go back to the people who fund it.
