The Massive Cost: Why Experts Doubt the Numbers Add Up
The Guardian quickly examined the financial feasibility of a $2,000 payment to almost every American adult. Their analysis identified two enormous challenges. Challenge #1: The Price Tag Economists estimated the overall cost of the proposal, depending on eligibility standards. The numbers were striking:
-
If children or additional groups qualify → the cost increases to over $500 billion.
To put that into perspective, this is more than:
-
the yearly budget of many federal agencies combined
-
the entire defense budget of major countries
-
what the U.S. spends annually on major national programs
Economist Erica York added clarity: “If the cutoff is $100,000, 150 million adults would qualify, for a cost near $300 billion… Tariffs have raised $90 billion of net revenues compared to Trump’s proposed $300 billion rebate.” That means the revenue generated so far by tariffs is less than one-third of what would be needed. This doesn’t make the plan impossible — but it makes it exceptionally difficult without:
-
increased tariffs
-
supplemental funding
And Congress has a history of being divided on direct payments.
