President Trump pledges $5,000 to US citizens if Republicans win Congress
At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump vowed to campaign nationwide for GOP candidates and promised $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans secure control of Congress.
WASHINGTON —
Republicans opened their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, with President Donald Trump putting himself at the center of the party’s campaign to keep control of Congress and promising $5,000 payments to American adults if Republicans win in November.
President Trump told supporters he plans to campaign across the country for Republican candidates in the final stretch of the midterms.
“I’m going to go to every one of those states for congressmen and for senators. I’m going to do that. And we’re going to have rallies,” Trump said.
Before Trump took the stage, Republican candidates and party leaders highlighted the administration’s record, including tax cuts and border enforcement. Democrats held events outside the convention criticizing Trump’s record on the economy and other issues.
The convention comes as Republicans defend narrow majorities in both the House and Senate and try to overcome the historical tendency for the president’s party to lose seats during midterm elections. Some Republicans in competitive races chose not to attend the Dallas gathering, underscoring the political tension surrounding Trump’s prominent role in the campaign.
Trump made clear Wednesday that he wants voters to treat the midterms as if he were on the ballot.
“So I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot. I’m on the ballot. Just one more time,” Trump told the crowd.
Trump also made one of the night’s biggest promises, pledging a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate.
“If the Republicans win the Senate and House, because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” Trump said.
Trump said recipients would have to spend the money in the United States but did not explain how the program would be implemented or funded. The Associated Press estimates payments at that scale could cost at least $1 trillion.
The two-day convention continues Thursday, when Vice President JD Vance and Trump are both scheduled to speak.