There’s growing talk about a new $5,000 stimulus check for American taxpayers—and this time, it’s not like the COVID-era payments. The idea is being pushed by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria, and backed by some big names including Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump.
Fishback recently told Chris Cuomo in an interview that he had strong support from lawmakers after meetings in Washington, D.C., and he feels confident that this plan could become a reality.
So what’s behind this proposal? Let’s break it down simply.
What Is the $5,000 Stimulus Check Proposal?
Unlike the past stimulus checks that increased government debt, this new plan is tied to government savings. The money would come from reducing wasteful spending across federal programs, not from borrowing more.
The plan is part of a new effort by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by Elon Musk. The idea is that if the government can save money by cutting unnecessary spending, some of that savings should be returned to taxpayers—specifically, those who actually pay federal income taxes.
How Would the Stimulus Check Work?
If the proposal is approved, each eligible household could receive a $5,000 check once DOGE’s savings reach the expected amount. So far, DOGE has reportedly saved around $130 billion through March, but the goal is $2 trillion by July 2026.
Once savings are confirmed, here’s how the money would be used:
- 20% of the savings would go back to taxpayers as the “DOGE Dividend”
- 20% would be used to help reduce the national debt
Who Would Qualify for the $5,000 Check?
Not everyone will receive this payment. According to Fishback and early reports:
- Only federal income tax-paying households will qualify
- Likely includes households earning above $40,000 per year
- Low-income families who don’t pay net federal taxes may not be eligible
- You may also need to own property, as per early discussions
Fishback says this is not meant to cause inflation and is different from pandemic-era checks. This is more like a rebate—returning part of what taxpayers already gave.
What Is DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)?
DOGE is a newly formed government body focused on improving how money is spent. Elon Musk is helping lead it with a goal of saving up to $2 trillion every year by cutting unnecessary costs and improving operations.
At a rally in Wisconsin, Musk said:
“If we reduce waste, there will be resources to give back.”
So far, DOGE has reported savings of $130 billion, but there’s still a long way to go before they hit the $2 trillion goal.
Is This Plan Final?
Not yet. Although Fishback says he received strong support from lawmakers, and Trump said in February that he’s “evaluating the plan,” no official timeline or eligibility rules have been released. Congress still needs to pass a law for these $5,000 checks to happen.
There’s also debate in Congress, especially among Republicans, about whether such a plan would really avoid adding to the deficit or if it’s too optimistic to expect $1 trillion or more in savings.
Even Musk admitted during a FOX News interview that “there is still a lot of work to be done” before these payments can be confirmed.
The $5,000 stimulus check proposal is an exciting idea that has support from influential figures like James Fishback, Elon Musk, and possibly Donald Trump. But for now, it’s still just a proposal.
The money would come from savings created by the Department of Government Efficiency, and only tax-paying households earning above $40,000 may be eligible. If DOGE meets its savings target by July 2026, this check could become real. Until then, all eyes are on Congress and the White House to make the final decision.
