Trump offers $5,000 “Trump dividend”
US President Donald Trump is trying to rescue Republican prospects in the coming midterms with an unusual promise: a $5,000 payout to every American adult if his party keeps control of Congress. He called it a “Trump dividend,” but gave no clear explanation for how the government would pay for a plan that could cost more than $1 trillion. The move reflects the pressure he faces as voters grow more frustrated over the cost of living and his declining approval ratings, which remain stuck in the low 30s.
Trump made the pitch at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, urging supporters to act as if he were personally on the ballot. That line highlighted both his influence over the party and the risk for Republican candidates who may need his base but also need to appeal to more moderate voters. The strategy appears aimed at energizing loyal supporters and keeping the election focused on Trump himself rather than on economic anger or concerns about his record.
The president also devoted much of his speech to defending the war with Iran, which has continued for months and become a heavy burden on US taxpayers. He claimed oil prices would fall once the conflict is won and warned Tehran over activity at a fortified site near Natanz. Trump also repeated threats of strikes, including against a mountain complex linked to Iran’s nuclear program. The war has driven up global energy prices and added to public dissatisfaction, while Trump continued to cast it as part of a larger victory.
At the same time, Trump revived familiar culture-war attacks, warning without evidence that Democrats would turn the country into a communist state. He also described his second term as one of the most successful in presidential history, despite polls showing widespread discontent.
