A new economic proposal backed by former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the unofficial leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), suggests returning money to hardworking Americans. But will this plan include Ohio residents?
The proposal, which would distribute $5,000 stimulus checks, is linked to savings from federal budget cuts. According to USA TODAY, Trump confirmed on Wednesday, Feb. 19, that his administration is considering returning 20% of DOGE savings directly to citizens.
“Americans deserve a ‘DOGE Dividend’: 20% of the money that DOGE saves should be sent back to hardworking Americans as a tax refund check. It was their money in the first place,” wrote James Fishback, CEO and co-founder of Azoria Partners, in a February post on X.
But is this plan realistic, or is it too good to be true? Here’s what we know so far.
Can the Government Afford to Send $5,000 Checks?
For this stimulus plan to be feasible, DOGE must first achieve its ambitious $2 trillion savings goal. However, in a January interview with political strategist Mark Penn, Musk acknowledged that cutting $1 trillion in federal spending is a more realistic target, per USA TODAY.
“I think we’ll try for $2 trillion. I think that’s the best-case outcome,” Musk said. “But I do think that you kind of have to have some overage. I think if we try for $2 trillion, we’ve got a good shot at getting one (trillion).”
If DOGE savings fall short, it’s unclear whether any funds will be available for stimulus payments.
What Is DOGE? Ohio Native Vivek Ramaswamy’s Role
DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, is a temporary organization under the U.S. Digital Operations and Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service. Founded by Elon Musk, its goal is to modernize federal technology, cut inefficiencies, and reduce government spending.
The department is scheduled to end on July 4, 2026. Ohio native and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was instrumental in helping Musk run the panel before shifting his focus to his Ohio gubernatorial campaign.
The organization aims to eliminate 30% of federal spending from the current $6 trillion budget. Ramaswamy has even suggested cutting the federal workforce in half to achieve these savings.
Who Would Receive a $5,000 Stimulus Check?
If the stimulus plan moves forward, it could follow a model similar to the COVID-19 stimulus payments. In 2020, stimulus checks were sent to:
✅ Individuals who had filed taxes in the previous two years
✅ Social Security recipients
✅ Veterans receiving federal benefits
✅ Families with qualifying dependents
At the time, individuals received $1,200, while married couples received $2,400, plus $500 per qualifying child under 17.
The proposed DOGE Dividend would offer $5,000 payments, but details on who qualifies and how the payments would be issued remain unclear.
Will This Cause Inflation? What Economists Say
Not all experts support the idea of a DOGE Dividend. Judge Glock, Director of Research at the Manhattan Institute, has expressed concerns about potential inflationary consequences.
🚨 Key Concerns from Economists:
- The $5,000 stimulus checks could increase consumer spending and drive inflation.
- Instead of distributing the funds, Glock argues that the money should be used to reduce the $1 trillion budget deficit and cut taxes.
FAQs –
1. Will Ohio residents receive a stimulus check?
If the plan moves forward, Ohio residents would likely qualify, just as they did for COVID stimulus payments. However, the eligibility requirements have not been finalized.
2. When would the payments be sent?
There is no official payment schedule yet. Since DOGE is still working on budget cuts, it may take months or even years before checks are issued.
3. How will the government fund these stimulus checks?
The payments would come from 20% of DOGE’s savings, but only if DOGE successfully cuts federal spending by at least $1 trillion.
4. Is DOGE an official government agency?
No, DOGE is a temporary organization under the U.S. Digital Operations and Government Efficiency Service, led by Elon Musk and scheduled to end on July 4, 2026.
5. Could this cause inflation?
Yes. Some economists believe giving out large stimulus checks could increase spending and inflation, similar to what happened after the COVID-19 relief payments.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of a $5,000 stimulus check is exciting, it’s still just a proposal. The key question is whether DOGE can meet its budget-cutting goals. If it does, millions of Americans—including those in Ohio—could benefit.
For now, stay tuned as Trump, Musk, and policymakers debate the future of the DOGE Dividend.