On Wednesday, President Trump revealed plans to distribute $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks to military personnel, attributing this initiative to the benefits accrued from tariffs and a recently enacted substantial Republican tax and spending legislation.

In a national primetime address, Trump announced that 1.4 million military members would receive these checks. The monetary figure was purposely chosen to commemorate the nation’s inception in 1776.

“The checks are already on their way. This was a surprise to everyone until about 30 minutes ago,” Trump stated, suggesting that the announcement was finalized shortly before he spoke.

According to the White House, these dividends will be issued to active-duty service members ranked O-6 and below, as well as reserve component members in the same pay grades who have been on active duty for at least 31 days as of November 30.

This announcement stood out as one of the few concrete policies highlighted during Trump’s primetime address, which was primarily focused on the administration’s strategies to reduce expenses for Americans.

Trump has throughout his year in office teased the idea of sending dividend checks to millions of Americans, first through money saved from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and later via tariff revenue. But members of Congress have balked at the idea, arguing that money should be used to lower the debt.