The idea of DOGE-funded stimulus checks has been gaining attention, but nothing has been officially approved. Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for the concept, suggesting that 20% of DOGE’s savings could be given to Americans, but Congress would need to pass it into law.
With uncertainty over whether DOGE can meet the required savings goal, many lawmakers remain skeptical. Here’s what we know so far.
What Are DOGE Stimulus Checks?
DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, was created to reduce government spending. Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to lead the initiative, has been working on cutting costs across federal programs.
The idea of a “DOGE dividend” first appeared on X (formerly Twitter), where Musk mentioned discussing it with Trump. Trump later stated that he was considering using 20% of DOGE’s savings to help pay down the national debt and another 20% to issue direct payments to Americans.
However, there are several major hurdles:
- Congress must approve the payments before they can be distributed.
- DOGE needs to save $2 trillion to make stimulus checks possible, a target Musk himself has said might not be realistic.
- Many lawmakers are against the idea, arguing that savings should go toward reducing the deficit.
Latest Update on DOGE Stimulus Checks (2025)
As of now, DOGE stimulus checks are still just a proposal and have not been approved. Congress would need to pass a law for any payments to be made.
Where Do Lawmakers Stand?
There is no clear support for the stimulus checks in Congress. Lawmakers have mixed opinions:
Against Stimulus Checks:
- Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) dismissed the idea, saying the money should go toward paying down the debt.
- Republican Senators Ron Johnson, Cynthia Lummis, Thom Tillis, and Rand Paul have all expressed that reducing the deficit should come before sending stimulus checks.
Undecided or Open to Discussion:
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) wants to review the details before making a decision.
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) supports the idea of returning savings to Americans but prefers an increase in the child tax credit instead.
The Big Question: Will DOGE actually save enough money to fund stimulus checks?
- As of February 24, 2025, DOGE’s website claims it has saved $65 billion—far from the $2 trillion needed to make the stimulus checks happen.
What Has Trump Said About DOGE Stimulus Checks?
Trump has publicly addressed the idea twice:
At the FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami Beach:
“We’re considering giving 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to paying down the debt.”
On Air Force One:
“I love it. A 20% dividend, so to speak, for the money we’re saving by going after waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Trump also suggested that the DOGE dividend could incentivize taxpayers to report government waste, helping DOGE identify more areas for cost-cutting.
When Will DOGE Send Out Checks?
- No stimulus checks have been approved yet.
- Congress must pass a law before any payments can be made.
- DOGE has not saved enough money to fund the proposal.
Even if the plan moves forward, it could take months or even years before payments are issued. Musk has admitted that reaching the $2 trillion savings goal may not be possible.
What Is DOGE in Politics?
DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) was created to cut government spending and reduce regulations. The name was inspired by Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency, as a nod to Musk’s involvement.
Key Facts About DOGE:
- Elon Musk was named the head of DOGE by Trump when he took office.
- The agency focuses on cutting costs through contract cancellations, fraud detection, and workforce reductions.
- There is legal confusion over Musk’s role. Court filings state that Musk is actually a senior advisor to the president, and the official DOGE administrator is Amy Gleason, a former U.S. Digital Service official.
How Much Money Has DOGE Saved?
DOGE’s official website (doge.gov/savings) claims to track its savings.
As of February 24, 2025:
DOGE claims to have saved $65 billion through:
- Fraud detection and deletion
- Contract and lease cancellations
- Asset sales and grant reductions
- Workforce cuts and regulatory changes
However, NPR found errors in DOGE’s reported savings, with many numbers being inflated or inaccurate.
