Special Poll
The proposed DOGE dividend, a cash payment program championed by President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, promises to return savings from government spending cuts directly to American taxpayers. However, most Americans may not see these benefits—and for many Trump supporters, the proposal might not live up to its promise.
James Fishback, CEO of Azoria, the firm behind the initiative, confirmed in an interview that millions of taxpaying immigrants without legal status will be excluded from receiving the payments. He emphasized that “illegal immigrants are never going to get a DOGE dividend,” asserting that only U.S. citizens and legal taxpayers would qualify under the current framework.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, has been aggressively slashing federal agency budgets in an effort to reduce overall spending. Fishback claims that 20% of those savings would be redirected to eligible taxpayers, potentially resulting in checks of up to $5,000. However, based on the actual savings to date—around $115 billion—each taxpayer would only receive about $142 if payments were issued today.
While that figure could grow if DOGE’s savings increase, early reports reveal that nearly 40% of the contracts canceled by the department are unlikely to produce any real financial benefit. This has raised serious doubts about the initiative’s long-term viability and effectiveness. Recent data from the Congressional Budget Office shows the federal deficit has actually risen by 5% compared to last year, further complicating projections.
Despite the bold promises, the fine print reveals limitations. Around 79 million households may be eligible, but the program excludes millions of undocumented taxpayers—many of whom contribute significantly to public revenue. In 2022 alone, immigrants without legal status paid approximately $96.7 billion in taxes, including $59.4 billion to the federal government. Yet, under the current version of the DOGE proposal, they will not receive a single dollar.
Supporters argue the initiative empowers citizens to identify wasteful government spending and restores trust in government reform. However, critics point out that it may disproportionately favor a narrow segment of Americans, leaving many—including low-income families and working-class Trump supporters—with little to gain.
Fishback remains optimistic, noting that legislative language to secure and distribute these payments is in the works and could be introduced soon. Still, as it stands, the majority of Americans are unlikely to qualify for a meaningful payout, casting doubt on whether the DOGE dividend will deliver the kind of impact its backers promise.