U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has clarified the funding mechanism behind Donald Trump’s campaign proposal to issue a $5,000 “dividend” to American adults. Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Lutnick explicitly stated that the funds would not be derived from U.S. tax revenues or the federal deficit. This statement follows a speech given by Trump at a Republican midterm convention rally in Dallas, where he first introduced the concept of the dividend.

While the proposal has gained attention, the specific methods for generating this revenue remain high-level. Lutnick emphasized that the administration intends to “earn the money” rather than relying on traditional taxpayer-funded appropriations. The Guardian reports that the proposal is contingent upon Republicans maintaining control of Congress in the upcoming elections. The outlet frames the proposal as controversial, highlighting the ambiguity regarding how such a significant payout could be generated without impacting the federal budget or tax base. As of now, no detailed fiscal plan has been released to explain the mechanics of this revenue generation, leaving the feasibility of the plan a subject of ongoing political and economic debate.