President Donald Trump has again raised expectations for direct cash payouts tied to tariff revenue, signaling that proposed $2,000 rebate checks for American households would not arrive until "toward the end of the year" in 2026, even as legal, fiscal and constitutional questions continue to cloud the plan's viability.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump defended the concept of tariff-funded rebates while acknowledging delays, framing the payments as a dividend from his trade policy. "The tariffs have made us a fortune," Trump said, adding that "the tariff money is so substantial" and arguing that the measures have "made us nationally secure."
The shifting timeline marks the latest adjustment in a proposal the president has promoted for months. In November, Trump told reporters the checks would arrive "sometime" in 2026 and later suggested "middle of, a little bit later than that," before pushing the window closer to year-end. The administration has yet to outline a finalized distribution mechanism or eligibility framework.
A central point of contention is whether the executive branch has the authority to issue the payments without congressional approval. Trump has publicly rejected the need for legislative authorization, a position that puts him at odds with economic advisers and lawmakers in both parties.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett struck a more cautious tone last month, saying on CBS News that, "It could come from tariff revenue, but in the end, we get taxes, we get tariffs, we get revenue from lots of places, and then Congress decides how to spend those monies." Hassett said he expected the White House to seek legislation for the $2,000 rebates.
Fiscal conservatives have also voiced resistance. Senator Ron Johnson has warned that the United States "can't afford" the plan, citing existing deficits and rising interest costs. Trump has dismissed those concerns, insisting the government could fund the rebates while maintaining defense spending and deficit reduction.
One legislative alternative already exists. Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill in 2025 proposing tariff-funded payments modeled on pandemic-era stimulus checks, though at a substantially lower amount than Trump's $2,000 proposal.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has further complicated the outlook by warning that legal challenges to Trump's tariffs could disrupt funding. Bessent has said that if tariffs are overturned, distributing rebates could take "weeks, months...over a year," even if Treasury reserves could technically absorb the refunds.
