In recent months, a proposal for a stimulus check tied to government savings has sparked widespread interest in the United States. Known as the DOGE stimulus check, this plan seeks to redistribute some of the cuts in public spending to taxpayers.
Initially, there was talk of a $5,000 payment per household, but recent reports indicate that the final amount will be determined by the actual savings achieved.
Former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have backed the initiative, which is being promoted by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria. However, the viability of this check remains uncertain, as federal spending and the national deficit continue to rise.
How does the DOGE stimulus check work?
The DOGE stimulus check plan focuses on lowering operating costs in federal agencies. According to the proposal, 20% of the savings from these cuts would go directly to taxpayers. If $2 trillion in savings is achieved in 18 months, each household will receive $5,000.
However, Fishback acknowledges that this payment is not guaranteed. If the total savings are less, the check will be reduced. For example:
- With $1 trillion in savings, the payment would be $2,500 per household.
- With $500 billion in savings, the check would be reduced to $1,250.
Uncertainty about these calculations has raised doubts among economists and lawmakers, who warn that the projected cuts may not be enough to finance a stimulus of this magnitude.
Obstacles and doubts about the plan
Despite Trump and Musk’s support, the DOGE stimulus package faces a number of challenges. According to recent data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), federal spending in February 2025 increased by 7% over the previous year, resulting in a 5% increase in the national deficit.
Furthermore, the government borrowed $1.1 trillion in the first five months of the 2025 tax year, raising concerns about its ability to generate the surplus required to fund taxpayer payments.
Some experts argue that, while the initiative raises awareness of government efficiency, the savings are unlikely to be enough to provide a $5,000 check to each household.
Will the DOGE stimulus check become a reality?
For the time being, the DOGE stimulus check remains only a proposal. It requires legislative approval before it can be implemented, and the earliest possible date is 2026.
However, not everyone in Congress supports the idea. Senator Ron Johnson has expressed concern that any savings should be used to reduce the deficit before they are distributed to taxpayers.
Other analysts warn that without a clear strategy for maintaining spending cuts, the program may not be sustainable in the long run.
In any case, while the DOGE stimulus check has sparked public interest, its future remains uncertain. Citizens will have to wait for new legislative decisions to see if this plan becomes a reality or if it remains a difficult promise to keep.
