US President Donald Trump has renewed his promise to give every adult American citizen $5,000 if Republicans win both chambers of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Trump has described the proposed payment as a “Trump dividend”, claiming it would be made possible by revenue generated through his administration’s tariffs and what he called the country’s economic success.
The president first made the pledge at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas in September, urging voters to support Republican candidates in the 3 November elections. He has since repeated the promise in public statements.
However, the proposal faces significant financial and political obstacles. Estimates suggest payments to around 240 million adult US citizens would cost approximately $1.2 trillion, and Trump has not provided a detailed plan explaining how the money would be funded.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has said congressional approval would be needed for the payments. Under the US Constitution, Congress controls federal spending, meaning the president cannot simply distribute the money without the necessary legal authorisation.
Economists and budget analysts have also questioned whether tariff revenues would be sufficient to cover the proposed payments. The US government’s tariff income falls well short of the amount required to provide $5,000 to every eligible adult.
The pledge comes as Republicans prepare for midterm elections that will determine control of the House of Representatives and the Senate for the remainder of Trump’s term. The outcome will shape the administration’s ability to advance its legislative agenda.
