On Sunday (Nov. 9), US President Trump stated on social media that he plans to utilize tariff revenues to distribute "dividends" of at least US$2,000 (approximately HK$15,500) to most American citizens, excluding high-income groups. However, Treasury Secretary Bessent later clarified that the plan might be implemented through tax reductions.
In his post, Trump said, "We are raising trillions of dollars, and soon we will begin to pay down our massive debt of US$37 trillion (approximately HK$287 trillion). The United States is experiencing a record investment boom. Those who oppose tariffs are fools! We are now the wealthiest country in the world, and everyone will receive at least a US$2,000 dividend (excluding high-income groups)!"
Multiple US media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, noted that Trump has repeatedly promoted this idea but has never put it into practice. Earlier this year, he claimed that the government could use the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), then led by US billionaire Musk, to fund subsidies through budget cuts and layoffs. In an interview last month, he again proposed the idea of providing US$1,000 to US$2,000 "subsidies" to the public, boasting that his predictions would generate over US$1 trillion (approximately HK$7.77 trillion) in annual tariff revenue.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent clarified on Sunday that the "dividends" proposed by Trump might be realized through previously signed tax reduction measures. He mentioned that he has not yet discussed this with the president, but the "US$2,000 dividend could take various forms, such as eliminating taxes on tips, overtime taxes, social security taxes, or allowing deductions for auto loan interest."
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