Trump makes highly unusual promise of $5,000 for all if Republicans win midterms | First Thing

Donald Trump, speaking in Dallas, proposed a highly unusual plan to pay every adult citizen in the United States $5,000 should Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate during the upcoming midterm elections. The staggering offer of over $1 trillion immediately sparked ethical concerns. During a lengthy speech at the Republican midterm convention, Trump criticized Democrats as "radical", defended his controversial war in Iran, and encouraged voters to "pretend that I’m on the ballot".

Claiming his second term as the most prosperous in presidential history, Trump made no mention of evidence to back up his assertions. The Republican party's decision to hold a mid-term convention was driven by their hope that the first of its kind could help them reclaim their threatened House majority. However, Trump's low approval rating led many competitive candidates to forgo attending the two-day event.

Regarding former attorney Michael Cohen, Trump revealed he would consider pardoning the former fixer, who served as Trump's personal lawyer until he made headlines by testifying against him in 2018. Cohen pleaded guilty to various federal crimes, including facilitating a hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and lying under oath to Congress.

Over 230 individuals have been killed by the US military in boat strikes across the Caribbean Sea, bringing the total death toll to at least 230 in 69 strikes. The US has also designated Ecuador's Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organization, citing their involvement in narcotics trafficking, attacks on civilians, law enforcement officers, and journalists.