Could $5,000 Checks Be Coming Your Way? Trump and Musk Float “DOGE Dividend” Plan

What would you do with an extra $5,000? That’s the question making waves across the country—and right here in the Coachella Valley—after President Donald Trump revealed he’s considering sending 20% of federal savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to American taxpayers.

Speaking at the FII Priority Summit in Miami Beach, Trump said, “There’s even under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% goes to paying down debt.” The idea of a “DOGE Dividend” was initially suggested by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, and quickly gained traction after Elon Musk posted on X, “Will check with the President.”

The numbers behind the proposal are eye-popping. Musk’s goal is to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget. If achieved, 20% of those savings—around $400 billion—would translate to roughly $5,000 for each U.S. household. For families here in the Coachella Valley, that could mean extra help with rent, groceries, or gas.

But there’s skepticism about the actual savings. DOGE claims to have saved $55 billion, but Bloomberg reports the website only accounts for $16.6 billion of that figure. Meanwhile, The New York Times uncovered an $8 billion “savings” that was actually an $8 million contract—a significant miscalculation. Despite these discrepancies, a federal judge recently allowed DOGE to continue accessing federal agencies and overseeing cost-cutting measures amid ongoing legal challenges.

For locals hoping for a financial boost, the proposal evokes memories of the 2020 stimulus checks during the pandemic—complete with Trump’s signature on them. Whether this new plan becomes reality remains to be seen, but it’s certainly sparking conversation across the Coachella Valley.

(Credit: Market Briefs)