Trump says $2,000 tariff checks could come mid-2026. But one Republican senator says, ‘We can’t afford it’

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses President Trump's proposal to distribute tariff revenue as dividend checks to American citizens, highlighting the need for Congressional approval and the current U.S. deficit situation. Group 1: Tariff Revenue and Deficit - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the importance of using tariff revenue to address the U.S. deficit, which currently stands at $1.8 trillion [2][3] - Republican Senator Ron Johnson expressed skepticism about the feasibility of returning money to the public, stating that any tariff revenue should be allocated to reduce the deficit [3] - Trump claimed that tariffs have generated over $1 trillion this year, with significant contributions from the European Union ($650 billion), Japan ($550 billion), and South Korea ($350 billion) [4] Group 2: Dividend Checks Proposal - President Trump has suggested the possibility of sending out rebate checks ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, although no specific details have been confirmed [4][6] - Bessent indicated that legislation would be necessary for the implementation of such a dividend payout [2] Group 3: Investment Insights - The article briefly touches on the concept of dividends in investing, explaining that they represent a portion of a company's profits returned to shareholders, typically on a quarterly basis [1] - It highlights the appeal of dividend-paying stocks as a source of passive income, allowing investors to benefit from a steady cash flow without selling shares [7]