Trump Promises $2,000 Tariff Dividends to Americans as Supreme Court Questions Presidential Authority

President Donald Trump has once again defended his controversial tariff policies, claiming they have transformed the United States into the "richest" and "most respected" nation globally. In a bold statement, Trump declared that Americans—excluding high-income individuals—would soon receive at least $2,000 (approximately Rs 1,77,000) as dividends from tariff revenues collected by his administration.

Trump's assertions come shortly after the US Supreme Court expressed significant doubts regarding the legality of his extensive tariff impositions. The case represents a critical test of presidential powers with far-reaching implications for the global economy.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: "People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World, With Almost No Inflation, and A Record Stock Market Price. 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 further claimed that his tariff strategy has catalyzed unprecedented domestic investment, with "plants and factories going up all over the place." He promised "a dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone," attributing this potential distribution directly to tariff revenues.

Trump emphatically stated that businesses are "pouring into the USA ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS," attempting to justify policies that have significantly disrupted global trade balances. He questioned the limitations on presidential authority, arguing that if a president can halt all trade with foreign nations, they should certainly be permitted to impose tariffs, particularly for national security purposes.

In his characteristic style, Trump expressed frustration with the judicial scrutiny of his tariff policies: "That is NOT what our great Founders had in mind! The whole thing is ridiculous! Other Countries can Tariff us, but we can't Tariff them??? It is their DREAM!!!"

The President's comments follow a Supreme Court session where both conservative and liberal justices rigorously questioned whether Trump's administration overstepped presidential authority by imposing tariffs under a 1977 law intended for national emergencies. The justices specifically probed whether Trump's application of this statute to implement indefinite tariffs constituted executive overreach requiring explicit congressional authorization.

Despite these challenges, several conservative justices indicated they were considering the inherent foreign policy powers presidents traditionally exercise, suggesting the court could deliver a divided ruling on the matter.

Lower courts had previously ruled that Trump's unprecedented application of the law exceeded his authority, prompting the administration's appeals. The case involves challenges from affected businesses and twelve predominantly Democratic-led states.

These tariffs—essentially taxes on imported goods—could potentially generate trillions of dollars for the United States over the coming decade. Trump has maintained significant pressure on the Supreme Court to uphold these measures, which have become central components of his economic and foreign policy strategy.