By Ghazali Ibrahim
US President Donald Trump has promised to give every American adult a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump made the pledge on Wednesday at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, as he urged voters to back Republican candidates.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump Dividend,” Trump said.
He compared the proposed payment to a cash distribution made by successful companies to their shareholders, adding that the money would have to be spent in the United States.
However, major questions remain over how the proposal would be funded and implemented. Estimates put the cost at more than $1 trillion if all eligible adults receive the payment.
Vice President JD Vance later suggested that wealthy Americans could be excluded and pointed to tariff revenues as a possible source of funding. Critics, however, say tariff revenues would be far below what would be required to finance the proposed payments.
The proposal would also require congressional approval, meaning Trump cannot simply order the payments to be made.
The announcement comes as Republicans prepare for a closely watched midterm election in which control of both chambers of Congress is at stake.
