• Trump said he will use tariff revenue to send $2,000 checks to Americans.
• While a welcome short-term infusion for cash-strapped Americans, it could cost them in the long run.
• The combination of tariffs and a cash injection into the economy could drive up inflation.

Most Americans would probably welcome an unexpected $2,000 infusion to their bank accounts, courtesy of their federal government.

It might, however, be too good to be true.

President Donald Trump said Saturday in a Truth Social post that the government would use revenue from tariffs to send the cash to “everyone” except “high-income people.”

It’s not the first time the president has floated this idea. He dangled the prospect of sending checks to Americans in fundraising emails over the summer.

The idea is reminiscent of the pandemic-era relief checks, when the government sent three rounds of payments directly to eligible Americans totaling over $800 billion.

Like those pandemic checks, however, a new round of tariff dividend payments, while offering some short-term gain, could ultimately cause long-term pain for the average consumer.

Giving consumers more cash to spend creates more demand for goods, which can lead to higher prices. The tariffs themselves can also lead to higher prices as businesses pass the higher cost of imports on to their customers.

All of this could throw a wrench in the Federal Reserve’s plan to keep cutting interest rates, and could eventually lead to rate hikes if inflation runs persistently hot. That could hurt American wallets over the long run and erase any gains they receive from a one-time check as the cost of consumer goods, securing loans, and buying a house increases.

Trump’s idea to redistribute tariff revenue to Americans comes at a time when consumers, while seeing some relief, are still struggling with living costs after years of high inflation. Prices for everything, from groceries to rent, have increased in recent years. The president largely defeated former President Joe Biden on a promise to lower those prices, a message that resonated with struggling Americans.

For Trump, the tariffs serve as a catch-all solution to address multiple problems. Beyond paying down the debt and putting cash in people’s pockets, his administration has also argued before the Supreme Court, which is now weighing the legality of the sweeping tariffs, that they are meant to provide leverage for the US government in its trade negotiations with foreign powers.

Sending $2,000 checks to hundreds of millions of Americans, however, would put a major dent in the Trump administration’s ability to resolve the debt crisis.

Ultimately, even if Trump is serious about the payments, they would likely need approval from a Congress that is deeply divided. The government has been shut down now for 40 straight days with no end in sight, forcing hundreds of thousands of federal employees to go without pay.

So, probably best not to count on that $2,000 infusion anytime soon, or ever.

• “Vibe-coding” is Collins Dictionary’s “word of the year” for 2025.
• Collins Dictionary classifies it as a noun, not a verb.
• The term was originally coined by OpenAI cofounder Andrej Karpathy in February.

AI is changing everything — including the English lexicon.

Andrej Karpathy, the OpenAI cofounder and former AI director at Tesla, coined the term “vibe-coding” in a post on X in February. Nine months later, it’s an official word in the dictionary.

“There’s a new kind of coding I call “vibe coding” where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists,” Karpathy wrote.

“It’s possible because the LLMs (e.g. Cursor Composer w Sonnet) are getting too good,” he added.

Since then, vibe-coding has not only become a bona fide word in tech circles, but a legitimate skill that can command sizable salaries.

Collins Dictionary, a dictionary now published by Harper Collins with a more than 200-year history, named vibe-coding its 2025 word of the year this week.

Collins categorizes it as a noun, and a slang term, and defines it as “the use of artificial intelligence prompted by natural language to assist with the writing of computer code.”

Over the past year, vibe-coding has become the standard for experienced and novice coders alike to approach their work, whether that’s building new apps or testing out concepts at companies.

Companies building vibe-coding platforms have also won sizable funding rounds from Silicon Valley’s top investors.

Lovable, founded in 2023, announced a $200 million Series A raise at a $1.8 billion valuation led by Accel in July. In September, Replit announced a $250 million funding round at $3 billion valuation led by Prysm Capital. That month, Vercel also announced a $300 million round at a $9.3 billion valuation, also led by Accel.

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says travel could slow to a trickle over Thanksgiving.
• Thousands have flights are being canceled as air traffic controllers go unpaid during the shutdown.
• The number of Americans unable to make flights home for the holiday will be “substantial,” he said.

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, it might be wise to have a backup plan.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that the number of Americans who won’t be able to be with their families for the holidays will be “substantial” if the government shutdown continues.

The shutdown is straining US air travel as air traffic controllers, who are paid with federal funds and have largely gone without a paycheck for over a month, are increasingly not showing up for work, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to ground thousands of flights.

Duffy said the controllers he spoke to said they’re able to miss one paycheck, but two would be difficult.

“Virtually none of them can miss two paychecks,” Duffy said. “So they’re going to be confronted with the idea of, as you mentioned, going to get a side job, a second job to make ends meet,” he said.

Airline pilots and flight attendants have been stepping in to help, sending free meals to air traffic controllers at airports nationwide.

Airlines have already canceled thousands of flights this weekend, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm. About 6.5% of flights scheduled on November 8 were canceled, and close to 72% were delayed. Those numbers are likely to only increase as the political stalemate over the government shutdown persists.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations caused by events beyond their control — such as air traffic control issues, which have become more common since the government shutdown began. However, if a flight is canceled, airlines must issue a cash refund, even when the disruption is beyond their control, including cancellations tied to the FAA mandate.

Flight Aware, a website that provides real-time and historical flight tracking data, has a “Misery Map” that’s been tracking delays and cancellations at 17 major US airports since October 30.

If your flight’s disrupted, check your airline’s app for rebooking — it’s usually faster than standing in a long gate line with everyone else.
Some airlines may give out meal or hotel vouchers for long delays or overnight stays. And don’t forget your credit card perks — many include travel insurance that can help cover unexpected costs.

• The Trump administration said states must “undo” steps taken to issue full November SNAP benefits.
• Trump pauses the hunger relief benefits during the government shutdown.
• The benefits are now in limbo as courts weigh the legality of the order.

The Trump administration says states must “immediately undo” any steps taken to send full SNAP benefits in November.

The demand, issued by the US Department of Agriculture in a late-night Saturday memo, has further complicated the situation surrounding the hunger relief program, which has now become a central bargaining chip in the ongoing political standoff over the government shutdown.

The US Department of Agriculture distributed the memo to regional SNAP directors, saying states that began sending full payments this month weren’t authorized to do so.

“Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025,” the memo said. “Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”

The memo said states that fail to comply could face repercussions, “including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”

Some 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program helps individuals purchase groceries to feed themselves and their loved ones.

The government shutdown, which began on October 1, is now the longest in US history. Now at Day 40, it has caused all manner of disruption to American lives.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or forced to work without pay. Many air traffic controllers, who are paid through the Federal Aviation Administration using federal funds and have now gone over a month without a paycheck, are increasingly not showing up for work, prompting the FAA to ground thousands of flights ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The fight over funding SNAP benefits, meanwhile, remains mired in legal limbo.

Although the USDA had planned to pause benefits starting on November 1, a Rhode Island court ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to keep providing them. A November 3 court filing said the USDA “is complying with the Court’s order and will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds.”

Trump wrote in a November 4 Truth Social post that, despite the ruling, his administration would still withhold SNAP benefits until the government shutdown is resolved.

The Trump administration then appealed the lower court ruling, but no updated action has yet been taken. The Supreme Court stepped in to temporarily halt the Rhode Island order until legal proceedings can continue, allowing the Trump administration to avoid issuing November’s SNAP benefits.

• President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that a $2,000 tariff dividend would be paid to Americans.
• In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the payments would be for all but “high income people.”
• The president also called critics of tariffs “fools” and said the US was taking in “trillions of dollars.”

President Donald Trump on Sunday said that a dividend payment of “at least” $2,000 would be paid to most Americans from US tariff revenues.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion.”

“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.”

The Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which he has justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Lower courts previously determined that many of the levies were unlawful.

The president had floated the idea of a $1,000 to $2,000 “distribution to the people” in an interview with One America News Network in October, touting tariff revenues he predicted would bring in over a trillion dollars a year.

The Treasury Department said in its September statement that it has collected $195 billion from customs duties in the fiscal year 2025.

For consumers, the idea of a dividend payout may be particularly welcome amid mounting cost-of-living pressures and the ongoing government shutdown.

But any such scheme would likely need congressional approval, and Trump has previously signaled he would prefer to use tariff revenues to tackle the national debt.

Appearing on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday morning, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told host George Stephanopoulos that the administration’s goal with tariffs was to “rebalance trade” rather than to take in revenue.

Trump’s announcement is the latest salvo in a long-running political battle over affordability.

Trump had partially built his presidential campaign on the issue, repeatedly lambasting former President Joe Biden over inflation and promising to “immediately bring prices down” should he take office.

Democrats have recently turned to the same playbook.

Democratic candidates, including Zohran Mamdani, swept to victory in elections in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia this week after running campaigns focused on cost-of-living concerns.

Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect who Trump has branded a “communist,” had pledged to freeze rent, make childcare and buses free, and create city-owned grocery stores as part of his bid for office.

“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up,” Mamdani said in his victory speech.

• When my dad died, my mom lost her companion and financial caretaker.
• The emotional and logistical reality of caring for a parent was far more complex than I’d imagined.
• I am constantly stretched thin, balancing my career, parenting, travel, and caring for my mom.

When I got the phone call that my dad had died, I knew that my life would change forever. What I didn’t anticipate was how much my mother’s next chapter in life would collide with mine.

Not only did she lose her companion, but she lost her financial caretaker. I found myself emotionally and financially responsible for her. With housing costs on the rise, personal expenses piling up, and loneliness becoming her new reality, we made a decision that felt practical and compassionate: she would move in with me.

It made sense financially

For my mom and me, the decision was simple math. After becoming a widow, she was suddenly living on a fixed single income and could no longer afford her apartment. At the time, I was a single mom, so sharing a home was a practical choice.

We combined our financial resources, and having her there meant extra help with the day-to-day. It was a win-win; we both saved money and gained a sense of stability and support.

For many families, especially within the Latinx community, multigenerational living isn’t unusual; it’s a financial necessity.

There are hidden costs to being part of the sandwich generation

At 30, I found myself in the sandwich generation, a stage of life where young to middle-aged adults raise children while also caring for aging parents. Ten years later, my life is nothing like I pictured it. Yet, my experience isn’t unique. More and more millennials are finding themselves in this sandwich generation. But unlike older generations, we’re doing it under very different conditions: high living costs, fewer support systems, and the demands of a fast-paced world.

On paper, it made total sense; splitting living expenses helped both of our finances. And most importantly, it ensured that my mom wasn’t navigating grief and aging alone. But the emotional and logistical reality of caring for a parent was far more complex than I’d imagined. What no one prepares you for is that the emotional costs of caregiving can outweigh the financial savings.

Suddenly, I was responsible for scheduling her doctor’s appointments, managing her medications, and monitoring the changes in her mental well-being that started to decline after my dad passed. The role reversal hit me hard. Watching her fade from the caretaker she once was to someone in need of care broke my heart in unexpected ways.

I also underestimated how much personal freedom I’d have to give up. As a mom and millennial who thrived on structure from balancing work, travel, and the comfort of solitude, my life shifted. Even small decisions felt weighed with responsibility. Can I take a trip without making detailed arrangements for her care? Is it selfish to want an evening to myself? Some days felt overwhelming. I just wanted to come home, curl up on the couch with my daughter, and not carry the emotional weight of caring for someone else.

There are some unexpected silver linings

Despite the challenges, there are moments of unexpected gratitude in our living arrangement. I get to share meals with my mom and connect in ways I wouldn’t otherwise have. When I’m drowning in deadlines, the simple gesture of her cooking dinner or watching over my daughter is a reminder that there is someone out there who cares. Plus, my daughter sees the bond shared and what family ties mean.

Living together has also given me a deeper understanding of aging. I see firsthand how isolating it can be for elders, and how fragile our independence can become. It has made me more empathetic, grounded, and in some ways more resilient.

If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s that multigenerational living isn’t just a financial decision, but it’s an emotional commitment. It takes more than careful budgeting; it requires boundaries, shared support, and grace for them and yourself.

Caring for your parents doesn’t mean losing your own life.

Rosa is a freelance writer and content creator based out of New Jersey. Connect on Instagram.