US President Donald Trump promised every American adult a payment of $5,000 if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate in the November midterms, calling it a "Trump dividend" made possible by the country's economic strength.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention in Dallas on Wednesday, Trump said the funds would have to be spent within the United States as a condition. He asked delegates to "pretend I'm on the ballot" and framed the election as a choice between his record and what he called radical leftist Democrats who would leave America spending the next decade recovering.
The proposal would cost approximately $1.35 trillion when extended to roughly 270 million US adults, and its implementation and legal viability remain unclear. No legislative mechanism has been outlined for distributing the payments.
Trump's address was the centerpiece of a two-day convention aimed at mobilizing the Republican base ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. The event featured aggressive attacks on Democrats, whom party leaders labeled "dangerous, radical and weird," socialists and communists. However, the strategy of centering the entire campaign on Trump carries risks: his approval ratings have slipped amid the ongoing war with Iran and rising living costs driven by tariffs. Several Republicans from competitive districts skipped the convention to avoid alienating moderate voters.
In an unexpected moment, Democratic Senator John Fetterman released a video message praising Republican colleague Dave McCormick and announcing plans to collaborate with Trump on protecting the domestic steel industry.
Historically, the president's party loses seats in midterm elections, and Republicans risk losing control of at least one chamber. Polls indicate higher voter motivation among Democrats. The convention produced no formal resolutions and functioned more as a Trump campaign rally than a policy-setting event. Democrats sharply criticized the gathering.
