Trump’s promise of $5,000 ‘dividend’ for US citizens after midterms decried as ‘bribery’

Critics have denounced Republican efforts to offer US citizens a $5,000 "Trump dividend" as a form of bribery, with the potential cost of the proposal estimated at $1.2tn. The Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made the announcement during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, stating that if Republicans retain control of Congress, voters would receive the dividend.

However, this promise has drawn criticism from both political parties, with concerns raised about the impact on the national debt and inflation. Republican lawmakers, including Chip Roy of Texas, have expressed skepticism over how the cost would be covered, pointing out that it would exceed $1tn in a single year. Democratic leaders and political analysts have also criticized the proposal, accusing Trump and Republicans of offering empty promises and reaping benefits from their policies, while working families face soaring costs and wages that cannot keep up with inflation.