You might have heard some chatter about getting a $5000 Stimulus check from the government, all thanks to something called DOGE. People are buzzing about it, and it’s got everyone wondering if could this actually happen.
Let’s dive in, figure out what’s behind this idea, and see if that cash might really show up in your mailbox. Spoiler: it’s not a done deal, but we’ll walk through it step-by-step in a way that’s super easy to understand.
President Donald Trump is all in on this. He said, “I love it!” when someone asked him about it on a plane. The plan comes from a group called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by Elon Musk—you know, the Tesla guy.
Their big mission is to slash government spending by a massive $2 trillion. If they hit that goal by next year, some folks think 20% of those savings—around $400 billion—could turn into $5000 stimulus checks for people who pay taxes.
But don’t start dreaming of a big shopping trip just yet! Money experts say saving that much is a long shot. It’s nearly a third of the government’s yearly spending, which is about $6.8 trillion.
Plus, there’s a worry: handing out stimulus checks like the ones we got during the pandemic could make prices—like groceries or gas—shoot up. Trump’s team says it won’t happen, but not everyone’s convinced.
Where Did This Idea Come From?
It all started with a guy named James Fishback, who runs a company called Azoria Partners. He posted on X that taxpayers deserve a “DOGE Dividend”—a chunk of their own money back—since the government’s been wasting it.
He even thinks it’d get people to sniff out waste in their own towns and tell DOGE about it. Elon Musk saw the post and said he’d chat with Trump. Fishback’s been talking to White House folks behind closed doors, too.
How Would These $5000 Stimulus Checks Work?
Here’s the deal: if DOGE hits its savings target by July 2026, about 79 million households that pay income taxes could get a check later that year. Not everyone’s included—around 40% of Americans don’t pay those taxes, so they’d be left out.
The stimulus check could be $5,000 if they save $2 trillion, but if they only save $500 billion, it might shrink to $1,250. Musk claims DOGE has already saved $55 billion, though some of those numbers are a little fuzzy and haven’t been fully checked.
Can DOGE Really Save That Much?
Saving tons of money sounds great, but it’s tough. Trump’s team has fired lots of government workers, but experts like Douglas Elmendorf say that won’t cut a huge chunk of cash. Most of the government’s money goes to stuff like Social Security and taxes, not workers’ salaries.
Another expert, John DiIulio Jr., said even if every government worker was gone, 95% of spending would stick around—along with a giant $34 trillion debt. Oh, and Congress has to agree to any savings or checks, which makes it trickier.
What About Prices Going Up?
Trump’s crew says these $5000 stimulus checks won’t mess with prices because it’s money the government was already going to spend. Kevin Hassett, one of Trump’s money guys, thinks it evens out—if people spend it, no big deal, and some might save it.
But others, like Ernie Tedeschi from Yale, say it’s risky. Jobs are easier to find now than in 2021, so extra cash could make it hard for stores to keep up, pushing prices higher. Some folks agree with Trump, saying the checks would be too small to cause trouble.
What Do Big Names Think?
House Speaker Mike Johnson isn’t jumping on board. He rolled his eyes and said it’d be fun to give everyone money, but he’d rather use it to chip away at that $36 trillion debt. Economists like Judge Glock and Jay Zagorsky aren’t fans either—they’re worried about prices and don’t think DOGE can save enough. Here’s a quick peek at the numbers people are talking about:
| What’s Happening | Amount | What It Means |
| DOGE’s Savings Goal | $2 trillion | The big target they want to hit by 2026 |
| Possible Check Amount | $5,000 | If they save $2 trillion, per taxpaying home |
| Smaller Check Amount | $1,250 | If they save $500 billion instead |
| Current Savings Claim | $55 billion | What Musk says they’ve saved so far |
| Federal Budget | $6.8 trillion | How much the government spends yearly |
| National Debt | $34 trillion | What the country owes right now |
So, will you get a $5000 stimulus check? It’s too soon to tell. DOGE has to finish its job, Congress needs to say yes, and the savings have to be real. For now, it’s a neat idea to think about, but don’t bank on it just yet!
Additionally, check who qualifies and when will arrive new $1,700 Stimulus Check for Alaska residents.
FAQs on $5000 Stimulus Check
What is DOGE?
DOGE is the Department of Government Efficiency. It’s a group led by Elon Musk trying to save money by cutting government spending.
Who would get a $5,000 Stimulus check?
Only people who pay income taxes—about 79 million households. If you don’t pay those taxes, no check for you.
When could I get this money?
If it happens, it’d be after DOGE finishes in July 2026. Checks might come later that year.
Why do some people say it’s a bad idea?
They think it could make prices—like food and gas—go up and add to the country’s huge debt.
Has DOGE saved money already?
Musk says they’ve saved $55 billion, but some folks aren’t sure that number’s solid yet.
Does everyone like this plan?
Not really! Trump’s excited, but some leaders and experts want to use the money to pay off debt instead.