Under Fishbank's proposal, the remaining 60% of savings would go toward the allocated budget.
The Post added that "according to [Fishback's] math," this would mean 79 million households would receive $5,000 checks if Elon Musk can cut $2 trillion from the federal budget.
Meanwhile, it doesn't appear that money going toward paying down the debt would outpace deficit spending. This week, the House passed its budget bill, which, according to USA Today, would add "almost $3 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years."
Nonetheless, Fishback suggested that the first checks come in July 2026, when DOGE is expected to terminate, or they could come earlier if the proposal becomes law.
The Post stated that some economists believe the dividend checks could increase inflation.