Commerce Secretary: Trump’s $5,000 Checks Will Reward Americans Without Raising Taxes
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick assures Americans that President Trump’s $5,000 dividend plan will be funded by innovative private-sector programs and smart investments, not taxpayer money.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told NBC News that the $5,000 'dividend' promised by President Donald Trump for every adult in the United States would not require a single dollar from taxpayers. In a bold move to empower Americans, the administration is leveraging private-sector ingenuity and asset growth, steering clear of the bloated federal budget and runaway deficit spending favored by the left.
Speaking at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Lutnick outlined the administration’s visionary approach: the Trump Platinum Card, which allows high-net-worth individuals to pay $5 million for an extended U.S. visa. With a waitlist of over 100,000, this program could generate an astounding $500 billion, attracting global investment and strengthening America’s economic standing. Lutnick also highlighted the government’s 2023 investment in Intel, where the administration purchased 500 million shares at $20 each using $8.9 billion from the CHIPS Act. With shares now trading at $100, this savvy move has created an unrealized gain of $50 billion, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to smart, pro-growth policies.
Other officials are exploring additional responsible funding options. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett mentioned the possibility of using a congressional reconciliation process to cover the estimated $1.3 trillion cost, while Vice President JD Vance suggested tapping into tariff revenues—a testament to the administration’s dedication to putting America first. Though analysts note that tariff collections alone may not cover the full expense, the administration is determined to find solutions that do not burden hardworking taxpayers.
The proposal comes as the national debt surpasses $40 trillion and the annual budget deficit approaches $1.8 trillion—problems inherited from years of reckless spending by previous administrations. Lutnick emphasized the administration’s focus on reducing debt by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, a strategy that responsible economists agree is long overdue.
Despite relentless negative coverage from the mainstream media, the administration remains committed to delivering real economic relief to Americans. While an Associated Press poll shows a 32% approval rating for Trump’s economic policies and an NBC News poll reports 52% disapproval on inflation and cost of living, these numbers reflect media bias and fail to capture the positive impact of the administration’s bold initiatives.