US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a one-time $1,776 “warrior dividend” for American military personnel, saying more than 1.45 million service members will receive the payment before Christmas
as part of what he described as the economic gains from his tariff policy.
Speaking at a public address, Trump said the payout was timed to mark the year 1776, calling it a tribute to the country’s founding and to members of the armed forces. “We are sending every soldier $1,776. The checks are already on the way,” he said.
Trump credited tariffs for driving what he claimed was a revival in American manufacturing and national security, arguing that companies were returning to the US to avoid import duties. He said factory construction across sectors such as artificial intelligence and automobiles was happening at levels “never seen before”.
The Republican said his administration had delivered the largest tax cuts in American history through what he repeatedly described as a “big, beautiful bill”, which combined multiple pieces of legislation. He said the package included no tax on tips, overtime or Social Security benefits and claimed families would save between $11,000 and $20,000 annually, with next spring expected to bring the largest tax refunds on record.
Trump also repeated claims that wages were rising faster than inflation and that employment was at an all-time high. He said all jobs created since he took office were in the private sector and cited wage increases for factory workers, construction workers and miners as evidence of economic turnaround.
Turning to immigration, Trump accused the previous Democratic administration of allowing what he described as a mass influx of illegal migrants, alleging criminal activity and blaming open border policies for economic and social decline. He claimed that for the past seven months, no illegal migrants had been allowed into the country, calling it an outcome many had said was impossible.
Trump further accused his predecessors of weak trade deals, rising crime and global instability, saying his administration had restored America’s standing abroad. “They’re not laughing anymore,” he said, adding that the US was now “the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
The US President said his administration had achieved more in 11 months than any previous government.
