In a televised address reminiscent of a grand giveaway, US President Donald Trump has announced a multi-billion dollar pre-Christmas bonus for American military personnel, dubbing it a 'warrior dividend'.
The $2.57 Billion Holiday Pledge
During an 18-minute speech broadcast to the nation on Wednesday night, President Trump declared that 1.45 million active service members would each receive a payment of $1,776. He stated the symbolic figure honoured the nation's founding year and insisted that 'the checks are already on the way' and should arrive in time for the festive period.
The total cost of this initiative is a staggering £1.9 billion, equivalent to $2.57 billion. According to Trump, the funds are sourced partly from revenue generated by his administration's tariffs and partly from the Republican tax bill, which he has hailed as the 'One big beautiful bill'.
Legal and Political Questions Loom
The announcement immediately raised significant questions about its legal authority, as the president appears to be authorising these substantial payments without prior approval from Congress. This move comes at a time when the Supreme Court has already signalled scepticism about the legal justification for many of Trump's sweeping tariffs, suggesting they could be quashed.
Trump used the platform to tout his economic record, claiming the price of everything from Thanksgiving turkeys to utility bills had declined since he took office. He also placed blame for previous economic woes squarely on his predecessor, Joe Biden, and the Democratic Party.
A Gesture Amid Economic Anxiety
The 'warrior dividend' pledge was unveiled against a backdrop of polls showing many Americans are deeply unhappy with the high cost of housing, childcare, and healthcare. The direct payment to troops is framed as both a reward and a significant economic stimulus for military families.
'We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs, and the Bill helped us along,' Trump said. 'Nobody deserves it more than our military, and I say congratulations to everybody.'
While the promise is set to impact millions of service members before Christmas, its execution remains contingent on the administration's contested financial mechanisms, setting the stage for potential legal and political battles in the new year.
