U.S. President Donald Trump has once again defended his controversial tariff policy, calling his critics “fools” and claiming that the aggressive trade levies have made the United States the “richest and most respected country in the world.” Speaking through his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that every American — except for high-income individuals — will soon receive a minimum of $2,000 in what he described as “dividends” funded by tariff revenues collected by his administration.
“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,” Trump wrote. He further claimed that “record investment” was flowing into the U.S. economy, with new factories and plants being built “all over the place,” adding that businesses are investing in the U.S. “ONLY BECAUSE OF TARIFFS.”
Trump’s comments come amid an ongoing Supreme Court case that could determine the legality of his wide-reaching tariffs — a case that carries major implications for U.S. economic and foreign policy. During recent hearings, both conservative and liberal justices questioned whether Trump’s use of a 1977 emergency powers law to impose tariffs on foreign goods overstepped presidential authority. While some conservative justices expressed concern about executive overreach, others appeared sympathetic to the argument that the president holds broad powers in matters of foreign trade.
In his post, Trump argued that presidents have greater authority to halt trade or license foreign countries, and therefore should also be able to impose tariffs for reasons of national security. “So, let’s get this straight??? The President of the United States is allowed (and fully approved by Congress!) to stop ALL TRADE with a Foreign Country… but is not allowed to put a simple Tariff on a Foreign Country, even for purposes of NATIONAL SECURITY. That is NOT what our great Founders had in mind!” Trump wrote, expressing disbelief at the Supreme Court’s scrutiny of his policy.
The court is currently reviewing appeals filed by the Trump administration after lower courts ruled that his application of the 1977 law to impose open-ended tariffs exceeded his authority. The tariffs, which apply to a broad range of imported goods, have drawn opposition from several U.S. states and businesses that claim they have been harmed by rising costs. Analysts estimate that if sustained, the tariffs could generate trillions of dollars in federal revenue over the next decade.
Trump has made tariffs a central part of both his economic and political strategy, arguing that they protect American industry, bring jobs back home, and give the U.S. leverage in global trade negotiations. His promise of $2,000 “tariff dividends” to American households marks a bold new effort to defend his policies ahead of the 2026 fiscal year — even as the Supreme Court deliberates whether those very tariffs can legally stand.