September 10, 2026 | 12:51 pm
U.S. President Donald Trump. White House file photo.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every adult American if Republicans retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November midterm elections, according to DW.Trump made the proposal Wednesday, September 9, during the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, where he sought to rally Republican voters ahead of the elections."If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them ... 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, as quoted by DW.Trump said the payment would come with a restriction on how it could be used."The only caveat we have is that the dividend must be spent in the United States of America," he added. "We don't want you going to Canada spending the money, we don't want you going to China or Germany."Trump did not explain how the proposed dividend would be financed or how the government would track where recipients spend the money.The pledge follows Trump's earlier proposal to provide Americans with $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenues. Those payments have not materialized.Trump Campaigns Ahead of MidtermsThe $5,000 proposal was part of a wide-ranging speech in which Trump promoted several major policies and issues from his second term.Trump discussed his administration's immigration crackdown, the war in Iran, tariffs and the resulting economic retaliation, plans for a White House ballroom and restrictions on transgender people.He also urged voters to "pretend" that he was on the ballot in the November elections, which will determine new members of the House of Representatives and Senate.Trump's comments on geographic names also drew strong applause from the convention audience. He joked about renaming the Strait of Hormuz the "Trump Strait," following his administration's efforts to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario after the United States.Republican Speakers Target DemocratsOther speakers at the two-day Republican convention focused on attacking Democrats, describing them as "evil," "communists" and "socialists."Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close Trump ally, was among the speakers. Paxton is running for the Senate against Democratic state Representative James Talarico.Pennsylvania Republican Senator Dave McCormick also received an unusual show of support from Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who delivered a video message introducing McCormick as his "great friend."Fetterman also pledged to work with Trump to protect Pennsylvania's steel industry.Conservative activists attended the convention as well, including Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers. Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. Trump later granted him clemency after returning to office.Trump also praised Erika Kirk, who attended the convention on the eve of the first anniversary of the killing of her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Vice President JD Vance received a brief mention near the end of Trump's speech.
