Breaking: Will Americans Finally Get a 3rd Trump Stimulus Check in 2025? Here’s What to Expect

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House on January 20, 2025, speculation has grown about whether he will issue another round of stimulus checks. These payments, which supported millions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, remain a point of interest as Americans face economic challenges like high inflation. However, according to economic experts, the likelihood of a third stimulus check under Trump is slim.

Economic Conditions May Not Warrant New Stimulus Checks

Stimulus checks are typically deployed during periods of significant economic downturns to boost consumer spending and provide financial relief. Jacob Channel, a senior economist at LendingTree, explained to CBS MoneyWatch, “Stimulus checks typically only happen when the economy is in really bad shape and consumers need a push to start spending money again. That’s not the case in the present.”

Recent economic indicators suggest that consumer spending remains robust despite inflationary pressures. For example, Cyber Monday sales in 2023 hit $13.3 billion, a 7.3% increase from the previous year, according to Adobe Analytics. These figures demonstrate that Americans are still spending, reducing the perceived need for government-issued economic impact payments.

A Look Back at Trump’s Stimulus Checks

During Trump’s first term, he approved two rounds of stimulus checks to support a nation grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The first, issued in March 2020, provided up to $1,200 per individual. A second round followed in December 2020, offering up to $600. These payments were a lifeline for millions who faced unemployment or reduced work hours as businesses shuttered to curb the spread of the virus.

The economic relief measures continued under President Joe Biden in 2021 with the American Rescue Plan Act. This legislation authorized $1,400 stimulus checks, bringing the total federal payments during the pandemic to over 476 million disbursements, amounting to approximately $814 billion, according to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.

Experts Say a 2025 Stimulus Is Likely

As the U.S. emerges from the pandemic, the economic landscape differs significantly from the crisis conditions that justified previous stimulus checks. High inflation, while challenging for many households, does not constitute the kind of broad economic collapse that typically triggers direct payments. Experts caution against expecting a repeat of pandemic-era stimulus under Trump’s upcoming administration. Instead, policymakers may focus on other strategies to address economic challenges, such as targeted relief programs or measures to stabilize inflation.

Looking Ahead

While Trump’s past stimulus efforts were instrumental during an unprecedented global crisis, the current economic climate makes another round of checks unlikely. For now, Americans appear to be navigating inflation through continued consumer spending, as demonstrated by strong retail sales.

As Trump returns to the presidency, his administration will face different economic challenges than those of his first term. Whether through tax reforms, infrastructure spending, or other initiatives, the focus is likely to shift toward long-term economic growth rather than direct cash payments.