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September 10, 2026 / 12:56 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Washington — President Trump pledged to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans keep the House and Senate in November, framing it as a dividend check made possible by the country's "tremendous economic success."But the president's pledge at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention has political and logistical hurdles. And Mr. Trump has yet to follow through with other universal cash payments he's promised to Americans thus far, with the Trump Accounts for babies born during his time in office being an exception. The Census Bureau says there are about 245 million U.S. citizens over 18, so if the Trump administration gave $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen, it would cost over $1.2 trillion. CBS News has asked the White House for details on the president's plan, including whether the money would come in the form of a check or some other way. Here are the reasons why Americans might not want to count on that $5,000. The checks would have to pass both chambers of CongressGiving $5,000 to each American adult would require an act of Congress. Republicans already control both chambers, so if Mr. Trump wanted to prove he's serious — and wanted to gain goodwill with voters — he could have already demanded that Congress take it up, or he could draft legislative language now. So far, Republican leaders in Congress aren't jumping on an idea that would add to the national debt, which last month surpassed $40 trillion. And House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged spending cuts after the midterms should the GOP retain control. Polling isn't favorable for Republicans to keep both chambers. Republicans face particularly strong headwinds in the House, where only a few district flips would lose them the chamber. Democrats are outperforming Republicans on the generic ballot.
