Millions of Americans could see extra cash if a new government program delivers on its promises.
Last month, the Trump administration launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut wasteful spending and make federal operations run smoother. The initiative, backed by Elon Musk, focuses on reducing unnecessary rules, stopping overspending, and restructuring government agencies to save taxpayer money.
So far, it seems to be making a big impact.
Since its launch, DOGE has reportedly saved $55 billion by cutting waste in areas like fraud prevention, canceled contracts, selling off assets, and reducing government staff.
In a recent social media update, DOGE stated it had stopped 18 grants worth $226 million, adding to its already massive savings.
Elon Musk has set an ambitious target—saving $1 trillion per year for the U.S. government.
During a public statement on February 19, Trump praised DOGE’s success, calling the savings “incredible.”
“So many billions—hundreds of billions,” he said, without giving an exact figure.
Trump also mentioned an idea to share a portion of these savings with taxpayers, explaining:
“We’re even considering a plan where 20% of DOGE savings go directly to American citizens, and another 20% is used to pay off national debt.”
Reports suggest that Elon Musk and investment firm CEO James Fishback are pushing for direct payouts.
Fishback first proposed a “DOGE Dividend,” saying:
“Americans deserve a refund. If DOGE saves $2 trillion, every taxpaying household could get a $5,000 check.”
Musk later responded that he would “check with the president” about the idea.
A proposal shared on social media suggested that 79 million households could receive these $5,000 checks next summer—but no official decision has been made yet.