This browser does not support the Video element.
Trump promises $5,000 payout if GOP wins election
We watched President Donald Trump speak during the first day of the 2026 Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas this Wednesday. President Trump spoke for nearly two hours during his keynote speech. During his speech, Trump said that while Republicans do well when he’s on the ballot, he admitted that it’s hard for a sitting president’s party to keep its hold on Congress when it comes to the midterms. LiveNOW’s Alexandra Goldberg is speaking with GOP Strategist Andie Wong and PR Strategist Matt Shupe, who both had the chance to hear Trump speak in Dallas tonight.
President Donald Trump made a pledge Wednesday to send every American adult a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" if Republicans retain control of Congress in November.
The promise is an extraordinary promise that lacks a clear legal or financial path and would likely cost more than $1 trillion.
What we know:
Trump unveiled the proposal during the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas, urging voters to "pretend he’s on the ballot and framing the payment as a shareholder-style dividend tied to what he called the nation's economic strength. He offered no details on how the checks would be funded or implemented, and the White House did not respond to questions seeking clarification.
President Donald Trump speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
What they're saying:
Vice-President JD Vance, also weighed in, however, appearing to temper the pledge, suggesting the payments might exclude wealthy Americans and could be financed through tariff revenues.
The White House has not responded with further details on the plan. However, such payments would exceed U.S. tariff revenues even before the Supreme Court threw out much of President Trump's tariff program in 2025.
National Debt surpasses record $40 trillion
Dig deeper:
The national debt has continued to grow across multiple presidential administrations as the federal government spends more than it collects in taxes. In 2025, President Trump approved additional tax cuts and spending legislation that added to federal borrowing. The government also borrowed heavily during Trump's first term as it responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread economic shutdowns that followed.
The other side:
Marc Goldwein, the senior policy director at the Committee for Responsible Federal Budget, said President Trump does not have the authority to send the payments without Congressional approval. "The idea that we’ve had fiscal success is backwards and bordering on laughable," he said. "We don’t have surpluses to give away."
Trump keynote caps day 1 of GOP Midterm Convention
The backstory:
The political spotlight is on Dallas on Wednesday for Day 1 of the inaugural GOP midterm convention. In an unprecedented move ahead of the November elections, Republicans are gathering to rally the base and outline their final midterm strategy.
RELATED: Trump's keynote speech caps Day 1 of Republican Midterm Convention
Republicans are fighting to maintain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections, with their narrow majorities in both chambers at stake. Democrats need to flip only a handful of House seats and gain four Senate seats to take control, while Republicans are looking to hold enough seats to continue advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
History of economic payments to Americans
Timeline:
The United States government has issued direct payments to Americans on multiple occasions in the past. Stimulus payments were issued to Americans in 2001, 2008 and during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021.
- In 2001, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act was signed by President George W. Bush. In an effort to counter an economic slowdown, Americans were issued tax rebate checks of up to $300 per person, $600 for married couples.
- President Bush again signed legislation in 2008, just prior to the Great Recession. The Economic Stimulus Act sent rebate checks of $600 per person and $1,200 per couple to more than 120 million households.
- In 2009, President Barack Obama approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included a one-time payment of $250 to recipients of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement and veterans' benefits.
- After the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, multiple legislative packages were introduced under both President Trump and President Joe Biden. The March 2020 CARES Act sent every adult $1,200 and $500 per child. The Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2020 sent another $600 per adult and dependent child. And in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act had $1,400 going to every eligible individual and dependent.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press, previous reporting by LiveNOW from FOX, Center Forward and the Federal Communications Commission. This story was reported from Orlando.