The 2024 presidential election in the United States presents two different scenarios regarding possible stimulus payments, depending on whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins. Both candidates have different approaches to economic policy, which would impact how Americans could receive financial support, not only in stimulus checks but also on other fronts in the battle against poverty such as Social Security or SNAP benefits. If Donald Trump returns to the presidency, his record shows a willingness toward stimulus payments, as evidenced by the two checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
However, current projections indicate that stimulus payments are not in its agenda for the period 2025-2029, something that seems to be aligned with what is proposed in Project 2025, the right-wing agenda that supports Trump. His focus is more oriented toward trade policies, especially the imposition of tariffs on Chinese products and the removal of China’s preferential trade status. Stimulus payments under Trump would depend more on unforeseen economic crises, as happened with the pandemic, rather than being part of a strategic plan.
Stimulus Checks in 2025 — Will Harris Be Different From Trump?
All that said before, it doesn’t appear that stimulus payments are on the horizon, in the hypothetical event that Trump wins. Unlike Trump, if Kamala Harris wins the presidency as the Democratic candidate, she will likely seek more consistent and direct forms of financial assistance for American families.
Harris has proposed, as one of the centerpieces of her economic ideas, the Child Tax Credit, especially reinstating the expanded version of the 2021 American Rescue Plan, which has proven to be an effective tool in reducing child poverty. Harris is also likely to promote other forms of financial support, such as a refundable $500 monthly tax credit for people earning less than $100,000 a year, but that remains to be seen, should she reach the White House.
What Difference in Approaches Is There Regarding Stimulus Checks?
Comparing both approaches, a Trump administration would only consider stimulus payments in response to unforeseen economic crises, and would likely favor tax cuts or tariffs over direct financial assistance.
Instead, Harris, with a more social focus compared to the conservative Trump, would be more proactive in delivering financial support, focusing on tax credits, housing relief and the expansion of social safety nets. This makes their policies more predictable in terms of providing continued support to American families, especially those with low or moderate incomes.
Libertarian Position of Trump
Trump prefers minimal government intervention, close to zero, in direct economic assistance to poor families, which differs from Harris’s ideas that are more committed to a present federal State, with stimulus payments and tax credits as tools to consistently support the economy, especially working families.
