Many of us have heard President Trump’s promise of a $5,000 dividend to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

But before we count on that $5,000, we should ask a basic question: Where is the money coming from?

Providing $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen would cost roughly $1.2 trillion. Vice President JD Vance has pointed to tariff revenue as a potential source of funding, but current tariff revenue falls far short of what would be needed to cover the entire cost.

At the same time, the Congressional Budget Office currently estimates that the federal government will run a $2.1 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2026. That makes it even more important for Americans to understand exactly how a proposal of this size would be funded.

This isn’t simply about whether someone wants or doesn’t want a $5,000 payment. It’s about transparency and accountability.

When elected officials make financial promises of this magnitude, Americans deserve to see the details. What is the funding source? How much revenue is actually available? Who would qualify? Would the payments add to the federal deficit? And what legislation would Congress need to pass to make them happen?

Regardless of party, we should be willing to question political promises and examine the evidence behind them. No politician should do our thinking for us.

We are asking the White House and Congress to provide a clear, detailed, and publicly available explanation of how the proposed $5,000 dividend would be funded and implemented before Americans are asked to rely on that promise.

Sign this petition if you believe Americans deserve transparency about the proposed $5,000 dividend.