Trump offers US$5,000 to every American if Republicans win midterm elections
President Donald Trump proposed a $5,000 'Trump dividend' for every American adult contingent on a Republican victory in the November midterm elections. The proposal, estimated to cost $1.35 trillion, is a major campaign effort to boost his party's standing amid concerns over his popularity and the war on Iran.
Why it matters
The scale of the proposed payout and its conditional nature on election results raise significant questions about fiscal policy and political campaign ethics.
With about 270 million US adults, the idea would cost around US$1.35 trillion.
US President Donald Trump attends the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, US, on Sep 9, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Eric Lee)
DALLAS: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Sep 9) that he would pay every American adult a US$5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans retain control of Congress in November's midterm election, a striking attempt to persuade voters to back his party.
Trump made the proposal at his Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention, but it was not immediately clear how the payments would work or whether they would be legal. With approximately 270 million US adults, the idea would cost around US$1.35 trillion.
During his primetime address, Trump boasted of completing "the greatest two years in the history of the presidency", putting himself squarely at the centre of the election despite his deepening unpopularity.
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