Can Trump really pay $5,000 to every American adult?
US President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans win the midterm elections, sparking debate over the plan's legality and funding. While supporters applaud the pledge, critics and legal experts question whether it constitutes an illegal campaign bribe or a standard tax-cut promise.
Why it matters
The proposal raises significant questions regarding the boundaries of campaign finance laws and the ethics of transactional political promises.
Image source, EPA By Alex Boyd Published 26 minutes ago US President Donald Trump has offered every adult American $5,000 (£3,700) if Republicans win November's midterm elections, but it is unclear how such a plan would be funded and whether it is legal.
His remarks prompted raucous applause from supporters at a party convention on Wednesday night, but Democrats labelled it an "empty promise", while others questioned its legality.
Trump has given no details on how it would be funded, though US Vice-President JD Vance suggested it might be paid for by tariff revenue and that such cheques would not go to wealthy Americans.
Under US federal law, it is illegal to give payments that are intended to influence the way a person is voting.
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