TRUMP PLEDGES $5,000 PAYMENT IF REPUBLICANS RETAIN CONGRESS

US President Donald Trump has promised to give every American adult a $5,000 payment if Republicans retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump made the pledge during the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, describing the proposed payment as a “Trump Dividend” and presenting it as a reward for voters if the party maintains its grip on Congress.

Trump likened the proposed payment to a dividend distributed by a company to its shareholders, arguing that Americans should benefit from what he described as the economic strength and success of his administration. However, details about how the payments would be funded and administered remain unclear, while the proposal would require congressional approval before any money could be distributed.

The proposed programme could cost more than $1 trillion if payments were made to all eligible adults. Vice President JD Vance later appeared to qualify the pledge, suggesting that wealthier Americans could be excluded and that tariff revenues might be considered as a possible source of funding. However, analysts noted that tariff collections would be far below the amount required to finance the proposed payments.

Trump’s announcement comes as Republicans prepare for a closely watched midterm election in which control of both chambers of Congress is at stake. The president has made the elections a major focus of his political strategy and has urged Republican supporters to ensure the party does not suffer the losses that have traditionally affected presidents during midterm contests.

The proposal has already attracted questions over its financial and legal feasibility. Fiscal experts have warned that such a payment could further increase the US budget deficit and add to the country’s already enormous national debt, while Trump does not have the authority to independently distribute the money without congressional approval.