US President Donald Trump has promised to give every adult American a $5,000 payout if Republicans win control of both the House of Representatives and Senate in November’s midterm elections.
Trump made the promise during a Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, where he said the money would have to be spent within the United States. However, he did not explain how the plan would work or how it would be funded.
With nearly 270 million adults in the US, the proposed payments could cost the government about $1.3 trillion. Vice-President JD Vance has suggested that the money could come from revenue raised through Trump’s tariffs on imported goods.
The proposal has already faced criticism from Democrats, who described it as an “empty promise”, while others have questioned whether such a large payment would be legal or financially possible.
Trump’s announcement comes as Americans continue to face higher living costs, while the US war with Iran has also affected global oil prices. The president defended the conflict, saying the economic difficulties were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump urged Republican supporters to vote in the midterm elections, presenting the proposed payment as a way to increase Americans’ spending power.
