Trump promises $5,000 payout to U.S. adults if Republicans win mid-term elections

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to send every American adult a $5,000 payment if the Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives and the Senate in November's midterm elections.

Speaking at the Republican Party's midterm convention in Dallas, Trump said the payment—which he dubbed the “Trump Dividend”—would be funded by what he described as the strength of the U.S. economy. He said the money would have to be spent within the U.S.

The Republican Party is expected to struggle in the mid-terms. Presidents' parties have historically lost seats in Congress during midterm votes, a pattern Trump has said he wants to avoid.

No further details of the plan have been released, and it is unclear how it would work in practice with critics warning it could also add to inflationary pressures.

Any such payment would need approval from Congress, and analysts have said the scheme could cost more than $1 trillion at a time when the U.S. national debt has already passed $40 trillion and the annual budget deficit stands at close to $1.8 trillion. 

The proposal is not entirely new. Mr Trump floated a smaller, $2,000 payment earlier this year, suggesting then that congressional approval might not even be necessary.

Last year, he authorised a $1,776 payment to members of the U.S. military, which he called a “warrior dividend”.

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio said he would prepare legislation so that the dividend could be passed swiftly after the 3 November election, provided Republicans retain control of Congress.

Democrats have not yet responded directly to the proposal.

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