Trump doubles down on $2K tariff checks — even as Bessent seems to throw cold water on idea

Core Points - President Trump has proposed sending $2,000 tariff rebate checks to American citizens, which he claims will be funded by tariff revenues, specifically excluding high-income individuals [1][9] - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of these checks, suggesting that the "dividend" could manifest through tax cuts rather than direct payments [3][10] - The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of Trump's tariffs, which could potentially lead to refunds exceeding $100 billion if deemed unconstitutional [5][7] Tariff Revenue and Economic Impact - The Trump administration has collected over $220 billion in tariff revenue, but it remains uncertain if this amount will suffice to fund the proposed $2,000 checks [8] - American importers are currently absorbing tariff costs, which are expected to be passed on to consumers, leading to price increases [8] - The proposed checks would cost approximately $326 billion if distributed to all American citizens without exemptions [9] Political and Legal Context - Trump's tariffs, particularly the "Liberation Day" tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, are argued to be essential for addressing the national trade deficit and are framed as a national security measure [6] - Bessent emphasized that the primary goal of tariffs is to create a more balanced and fair trade environment [7] - The Supreme Court's decision on the tariffs could significantly impact the administration's ability to implement the proposed rebate checks [7]