Trump vows $5,000 payments for every adult American if Republicans keep Congress
US President Donald Trump has said that if Republicans keep control of Congress in the November midterm elections, every adult American will receive $5,000 under what he called the “Trump dividend.”
Trump made the pledge at the Republican Party’s first midterm rally in Dallas. However, the details of how the plan would be implemented have not been made clear, and it remains uncertain on what legal basis the payments would be made.
According to a Reuters report, carrying out such a plan, given the roughly 270 million adult population in the United States, would cost nearly $1.35 trillion. That has raised serious questions about whether the promise could be fulfilled.
In the speech, which lasted one hour and 45 minutes and aired in prime time, Trump praised his record and effectively centered the election on himself. This comes amid reports that his popularity has declined.
At the same time, it is still unclear whether the campaign promise can mobilise undecided voters in favour of the Republicans. Polls show that some voters have moved away from Trump’s party, a trend that, alongside growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living, has heightened the significance of the election.
