Trump pledges $5,000 bonus for every US voter if Republicans win Congress

Former US President Donald Trump has proposed a $5,000 payout to every adult American if his Republican Party secures control over both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, a plan that would require a $1.3 trillion expenditure. Speaking at the party's first convention during an ongoing presidential term, Trump did not provide details regarding the funding source or how the funds would be allocated, only stating they must be spent within the United States.

Democrats dismissed the proposal as an "empty promise," while others questioned its legality. The cost of the plan is estimated to be nearly $1.3 trillion, given that there are around 270 million American adults. The proposal's feasibility has been questioned, especially considering global oil price fluctuations due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

In response to rising oil prices, Trump has urged his supporters to maintain the conflict until after the midterms, stating that oil prices would not decrease until following the elections. Trump's speech at the convention emphasized the short-term economic hardship needed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, with applause erupting from the audience.

The Republican hopeful reiterated his promise at the event, asserting that American citizens should prioritize spending the funds domestically. Although Trump has previously proposed such payouts, this plan represents an unprecedented scale. The legality of the proposal has been questioned, as federal laws typically disallow payments intended to influence voting.

However, some legal experts suggest that Trump's promise might be interpreted as a tax cut, which is permissible under US law. Furthermore, the potential promise could be protected under the First Amendment's free-speech protection.