Social media posts seem to be the go-to system for distributing useful information to everyone. News, views and opinions on government travel the same route down the grapevine. One of these nifty bits of information recently spotted on the vine is a stimulus check payment.
When less spending starts to lead to more spending
The Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE is a new initiative imposed by the second Trump administration. Since its inception in January 2025, the focus has been to reduce federal spending. The Department is spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Although DOGE is not an officially established federal executive department, it has started to make its mark across the US. From its humble beginnings, DOGE has identified quite a few agencies earmarked for downsizing or otherwise total elimination. That being said, it does raise a few eyebrows when spending is mentioned.
Circulating rumors promoting stimulus check payments
A recent social media post has been circulating proclaiming that a $5000 stimulus check payment would be distributed to individuals during February 2025, specifically on 31st February 2025. A reason to celebrate, or not.
These stimulus check payments were dubbed the “DOGE dividends”. According to the post, savings accumulated by the Department of Government Efficiency would be redistributed as payments to the value of $5,000. The payments would be available to US citizens and residents.
After the initial joy of the announcement has worn off, disappointment would set in. Anyone with a sharp eye would have noticed the mistake. February only has 28 days. Even on a leap year, the calendar only runs to the 29th. So, this does not seem plausible at all.
Who was behind this rumored payout?
The controversial anti-Trump group, the Lincoln Project utilized social media platform X (previously Twitter) to distribute this bit of information. With a viewer rate of approximately 5 million, the word surely got out. A lot of users did comment on the glaringly obvious error on the post.
Some individuals did make mention that there is no verifiable information available confirming that President Trump would be open to such a payout.
A distorted by-product of DOGE?
As mentioned before, DOGE aims to cut unnecessary federal spending. They also plan to identify areas where the hard-earned tax dollars of US citizens are being abused and misused. This noble idea has garnered mixed emotions.
Musk has set a target of nearly $2 trillion that he hopes to save by following this initiative. Building on this, President Trump has expressed his views on distributing about 20% of DOGE’s savings to the American public. A planned move not entirely supported by other lawmakers.
Bringing up a valid point, concerns were raised as to how this move would impact the influence of inflation. Fears are that it will lead to a severe increase in the inflation rate. A good example of this impact is the previous Covid-19 checks. These directly caused a rise in inflation.
DOGE itself is also rife with controversy, even from within. They recently saw a host of employees resign. The basis for the resignations was the fact that these individuals refused to utilize their expertise to disband various other public services and institutions.
Recent events in government as well as a lot of information circulated via social media, have just proven one thing. Users are urged to carefully consider what information is available across various platforms. Sift through fiction to source factually correct information.
Correctly placed information will validate which stimulus check payments, if any, will be made and when, also indicating the amounts payable. Whether they only provide short-term relief or hold a host of long-term consequences, may not always be readily available from the onset.