President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that members of the U.S. military will receive $1,776 payments, a move he described as a “Warrior Dividend” honoring the nation’s founding in 1776.
Speaking during a televised address, Trump said approximately 1.45 million service members will receive the payments before Christmas, adding that the checks are already being distributed.
Trump said the funds were made possible by higher-than-expected revenue from tariffs, though he did not provide specific details on how the initiative would be financed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to allocate about $2.6 billion for the program, classifying it as a one-time Basic Allowance for Housing supplement for eligible service members in pay grades O-6 and below, according to a senior administration official.
The payment will go to roughly 1.28 million active-duty troops and about 174,000 reserve personnel. The official said Congress approved $2.9 billion earlier this year as part of Trump’s policy agenda to supplement housing benefits for military members.
The White House has referred to the Defense Department as the Department of War under the administration’s rebranding effort.
A senior official said the one-time payment reflects the department’s continued focus on improving housing support and overall quality of life for service members and their families.
