Trump promise of $5,000 for US citizens after midterms decried as ‘bribery’ | Donald Trump – The Guardian

Trump promise of $5,000 for US citizens after midterms decried as ‘bribery’ | Donald Trump  The Guardian

Critics react to bid for Republican votes with incredulity and point to potential $1.2tn cost atop existing national debt Donald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery. “If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said during the unprecedented Republican midterm convention in Dallas. “It will be called the Trump dividend.” It comes amid extreme concern over the US national debt, which exceeded $40tn for the first time in August. Speaking to Politico, Chip Roy, the Republican US representative from Texas, sounded skeptical.

“Well – I would like to know how they would plan to pay for … back of envelope … well over $1tn,” he said. In the moments after Trump made the announcement, Marc Goldwein of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget wrote on X that “this would cost about $1.2 TRILLION in just one year. That’s more than ALL THREE ROUNDS of COVID relief checks, despite no recessions. The result would be a huge spike in the deficit, and almost certainly in the inflation rate.” The US has roughly 240 million adult citizens, suggesting the cost of $1.2tn. The federal government spent about $7tn in fiscal year 2025,