President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress in November's midterm elections, making an extraordinary cash promise as his party faces growing political headwinds.
The dubious promise would likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval and would further exacerbate the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation.
"If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000," Trump said during the GOP's midterm convention in Dallas. "It will be called the Trump Dividend."
He likened the payments to a corporation's distributions to shareholders, citing "our tremendous strength and success economically."
Within an hour, Vice President JD Vance appeared to try to walk back Trump’s proposal – at least in part – by suggesting the dividend payments would not go to the wealthy.
