Trump says 1.4M US troops will receive $1.7K in checks as ‘warrior dividend’ for Christmas

'We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs, and the bill helped us along,' Trump said, pointing to the Republican tax cuts
UPDATED DEC 18, 2025
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on December 17, 2025, in Washington, DC (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on December 17, 2025, in Washington, DC (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced a special "warrior dividend" for the Army members while drawing parts of his 2026 agenda.

In an address to the nation on Wednesday, December 17, Trump said each eligible soldier will receive a one-time payment of $1,776 in honor of the nation’s founding in 1776. The payments are set to go to about 1,450,000 Army service members. “The checks are already on their way,” Trump said. “Nobody deserves it more than our military.”

Trump outlines eligibility rules for 'warrior dividend' payout

Trump said the payment will be given to all currently serving in the US Army, with eligibility determined by rank and duty status as of November 30. According to Investing, active-duty service members in pay grades O-6 and below qualify for the one-time payout.

Reserve component members in the same pay grades are also eligible if they were on active-duty orders for 31 days or more. The announcement comes as the military includes roughly 1.3 million active personnel spread across six service branches.

He added that the stimulus checks are "already on the way" and "are expected to hit service members" accounts before Christmas.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on December 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would be
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on December 17, 2025, in Washington, DC (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)

In the address, Trump talked about what he sees as his administration’s main successes in its first 11 months. He said everyday costs and healthcare prices are going down, and that tariffs are bringing in more money and helping bring businesses to the country.

“We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs, and the bill helped us along,” Trump said, pointing to the Republican tax cuts passed earlier this year. “Nobody deserves it more than our military, and I say congratulations.”

Trump criticizes Biden, says he is 'fixing' what he inherited



After making the announcement, Trump took aim at Joe Biden, saying the country was left in poor shape when he took office.

Referring to the start of his presidency, the Republican said, “Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess. And I’m fixing it.” He also painted a morbid picture of the years he spent out of office.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after meeting with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on the ongoing response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. The President has said he plans to travel to North Carolina on Wednesday as authorities face challenges delivering supplies to isolated, flood-ravaged areas in the Southeastern United States as the death toll from Hurricane Helene tops 100. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Joe Biden speaks after meeting with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on the ongoing response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

“For the last four years, the United States was ruled by politicians who fought only for insiders, illegal aliens, career criminals, corporate lobbyists, prisoners, terrorists, and above all, foreign nations which took advantage of us at levels never seen before,” Trump remarked.

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