President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his promise of a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen, tying the proposal directly to Republican control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office during a steel plant event. He argued that tariffs would generate "hundreds of billions of dollars of profits" to fund the payments and contrasted his approach with Democratic policies, which he said would harm government finances.
The proposal, which Trump calls a "dividend," would cost the government more than $1 trillion, not including administrative expenses. It requires congressional approval to advance.
Trump previously introduced the idea at the Republican National Midterm Convention this month. The timing serves as a campaign talking point as Republicans work to defend their majorities in both chambers.
But specifics remain absent. The administration has not detailed how checks would be delivered, when payments might arrive, or other implementation details.
A recent poll found voters showed little enthusiasm for the idea. Some respondents said the $5,000 proposal made them less likely to support Republican candidates.
During his second term, Trump has offered Americans multiple proposed payments: $5,000 rebates tied to Department of Government Efficiency efforts under Elon Musk, $2,000 from tariffs, and $1,000 from expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
On Monday, Trump also blamed Democrats for higher grocery and gas costs, asserting the party's failure to address Iran caused "affordability problems."
Kendall Witmer, Deputy Communications Director for the Democratic National Committee, accused the administration of making "empty promises." She said, "The only people reaping the benefits of Trump's economy are himself, his family, and his ultra-rich elite donors." Witmer added that working families face "sky-high receipts at the grocery store and the pump, unaffordable healthcare premiums."
