Patriot Brief
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Bonus announced: President Trump said every U.S. service member will receive a $1,776 “warrior dividend” check before Christmas.
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Funding questions raised: The announcement comes alongside the passage of the defense bill and amid questions about the legal authority and funding source.
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Broader agenda highlighted: Trump tied the payments to tariffs, affordability efforts, and preparations for America’s 250th anniversary.
President Donald Trump announced a surprise holiday bonus for U.S. service members, unveiling $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks timed ahead of Christmas. The Independence Day–themed payments were revealed during a national address, with Trump praising the military and tying the move to America’s founding in 1776.
The announcement comes as lawmakers finalize a defense authorization bill that includes a pay raise for troops, while questions remain about the funding and legal authority behind the bonus checks. The initiative is part of a broader push by the administration to emphasize affordability, patriotism, and economic momentum heading into the new year.
NY Post reports:
President Trump proudly revealed that his administration is doling out Independence Day-themed $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks to service members before Christmas.
“Military service members will receive a special … warrior dividend before Christmas,” Trump announced during his address to the nation Wednesday night. “A warrior dividend in honor of our nation’s founding in 1776, we are sending every soldier $1,776.”
“And the checks are already on the way.”
It’s not immediately clear where Trump is getting the legal authority to send out those checks. Earlier in the day, the Senate sent the National Defense Authorization Act to Trump’s desk, which included a 3.8% pay hike for service members.
There are an estimated 1.45 million service members in the US military, meaning the initiative will likely cost about $2.6 billion.
As service members prepare for the holidays, the announcement adds a high-profile and patriotic note to Trump’s economic messaging. Questions about funding and authority remain, but the move places the military squarely at the center of the administration’s year-end agenda.
Photo credit: POOL/AFP via Getty Images