India, Nov. 14 -- President Donald Trump had announced that eligible Americans would get $2000 dividend checks from the tariff revenues. His declaration had come in a Truth Social post even as the president's tariff scheme was facing a legal test in the Supreme Court.

On Truth Social, Trump had said "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," the president wrote. "A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone."

However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to cast some doubt on this, saying that the payout might just refer to tax saving...