Elon Musk’s Departure Could Stifle Proposed Federal Stimulus Checks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elon Musk‘s potential exit from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may hinder the implementation of proposed stimulus checks aimed at providing financial relief to taxpayers. Musk has advocated for utilizing savings generated by the department to issue ‘DOGE dividend checks’ to eligible Americans, but the absence of formal legislation raises concerns about the plan’s future and effectiveness.

Under the DOGE proposal, approximately 79 million net-payers of federal income tax—individuals who pay more in taxes than they receive—would be eligible for one-time payments of $5,000. However, this requirement effectively excludes most Americans earning less than $40,000 annually, who typically do not owe federal income taxes after deductions and credits.

James Fishback, the creator of the DOGE dividend concept, described the envisioned payment as ‘modest but meaningful,’ suggesting that it could be funded by an estimated $400 billion in annual savings. He noted, ‘It’s time to refund the money. It’s also time for the DOGE dividend to give an incentive to taxpayers to call out waste, fraud, and abuse in the government.’ However, significant political support is essential for the checks to gain congressional approval.

Musk has frequently emphasized the importance of the department’s savings being returned to the public; however, he recently expressed skepticism about the plan’s feasibility, citing uncertain government cost-cutting measures. ‘We may not be able to save enough money,’ Musk remarked, leaving some advocates concerned about the viability of the stimulus amid political maneuvering.

As Musk’s tenure at DOGE is set to expire on May 30, under a 130-day time limitation, the future leadership of the department remains uncertain. While Vice President Vance affirmed that DOGE will continue its work without Musk, he stated, ‘Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president,’ suggesting Musk’s influence would persist even after his departure.

Experts speculate that Musk’s successor might not prioritize the stimulus checks as much as he did, potentially stalling the plan indefinitely. The transition period could leave proponents of the DOGE dividend advocating fiercely to gain traction and political capital necessary for approval.