Trump says people against tariffs are ‘fools’, vows $2,000 payout from tariff revenues

US President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his strong support for tariffs, asserting that his administration’s trade policy has made America the “richest” and “most respected” nation in the world.

He also claimed that every American, except the wealthy, will soon receive at least $2,000 (approximately ₹1.77 lakh) from tariff revenues collected by the government.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!” and credited his policies for creating “the richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation, and a record stock market price.” He further added, “401k’s are highest EVER. We are taking in trillions of dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion.”

The president said the administration plans to use tariff revenues to reduce the national debt while issuing a “dividend” of at least $2,000 per person, excluding high-income individuals. However, he did not elaborate on the mechanism or timeline for this proposed payment.

Trump also claimed that tariffs have sparked unprecedented domestic investment. “Record investment in the USA, plants and factories going up all over the place. A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he wrote, asserting that businesses are “pouring into the USA only because of tariffs.”

The post came as the US Supreme Court reviews challenges questioning whether Trump exceeded his executive authority by imposing sweeping tariffs on imports from several major trading partners. The president dismissed the legal scrutiny, arguing that tariffs are within his powers and essential for national security.

“So, let’s get this straight??? The President of the United States is allowed (and fully approved by Congress!) to stop ALL TRADE with a foreign country... but is not allowed to put a simple Tariff on a foreign country, even for purposes of NATIONAL SECURITY? That is NOT what our great Founders had in mind!” Trump wrote, adding that the legal challenge was “ridiculous.”

He continued, “Other countries can tariff us, but we can’t tariff them? It is their dream! Businesses are pouring into the USA ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS. HAS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOT BEEN TOLD THIS??? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??”

In August, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that the administration’s focus remains on using tariff revenues to reduce the national debt, which then stood at about $38.12 trillion.