Trump Revives $5,000 Dividend Proposal Amidst Midterm Polling Struggles
Donald Trump is renewing his pledge to issue $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans win the midterms, despite facing criticism and poor polling data.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign promise to distribute $5,000 dividend payments to American citizens, contingent upon a Republican victory in the upcoming midterm elections. The proposal, which has drawn sharp criticism from detractors labeling it a bribe, was highlighted in a series of videos posted to Truth Social this past Saturday.
In his remarks, the president asserted that only a Republican-controlled House and Senate could facilitate these payments, attributing the potential funding to revenue generated from tariffs and economic growth. He warned that a Democratic takeover of Congress would trigger an economic downturn comparable to the Great Depression of 1929 and lead to significant tax increases.
The president estimated the cost of the initiative at approximately $1 trillion, citing $21 trillion in investments since his return to the White House as the financial basis for the plan. However, these investment figures do not represent liquid cash, and the president’s reliance on tariff revenue remains controversial, as such costs are frequently absorbed by U.S. consumers.
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The proposal has faced significant skepticism since its initial announcement in early September. Reporter Sam Stein characterized the plan on X as an attempt at openly bribing people to vote for Republicans. Furthermore, the legislative feasibility of the checks remains uncertain, as Speaker Mike Johnson has stopped short of endorsing the plan, stating only that Congress would seek consensus on the matter.
The push for these payments arrives as the Republican Party faces mounting pressure in the polls. A recent YouGov survey indicates that 52 percent of likely voters favor Democratic candidates, compared to 38 percent for the GOP. Additionally, an Associated Press poll revealed that 65 percent of respondents hold the president responsible for rising prices, with 73 percent disapproving of his economic management—a record low for his current term.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
