Trump dividend of $5,000 hinges on Republicans winning the midterms

President Donald Trump discussed his promise for economic payouts for every adult U.S. citizen in an interview with Fox News, promising that record trade revenue will build long-term national wealth.

Speaking on “The Ingraham Angle” in an interview airing before he closes out the first-ever Republican midterm convention Thursday, Trump discussed his promise to offer a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate. The president explained why the payments hinge on Republicans retaining control of both chambers.

“Because – they can’t – I’ll tell you what, because the Democrats can’t do it,” Trump told host Laura Ingraham. “Because with them, it’s negative growth. with us, it’s so positive.”

“We’re taking in 21 trillion dollars. No country has ever taken in anywhere near that,” the president added. “That’s four-five times more than the next. That’s all because of that beautiful word you and love more than most others – tariffs.”

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Trump’s offer came during the opening night of the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, ahead of November’s elections. Speaking to supporters, Trump detailed the proposal.

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“I can make this promise to you, and here is my promise,” he said. “If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, because of our economic — tremendous economic success like in history, we’ve never had anything like what’s happening.”

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“But because of our tremendous strength and success economically — I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000. Very much like a successful company will do a cash distribution to its shareholders,” Trump added.

The president said the dividend would have to be “spent in the U.S.” Trump said tariff revenue would help fund payments to adult U.S. citizens if Republicans retained control of Congress. 

Republicans hold a narrow House majority with 218 seats to Democrats’ 214, with one independent and two vacancies.

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“So, we’re taking in $21 trillion. Nobody – no country has ever taken in anywhere near that. It’s 4 or 5 times higher than the next one,” Trump said.

“All because of that beautiful word that you and I love more than most others: Tariffs,” he added. While Trump pointed to tariffs to fund the initiative, annual tariff revenue falls well short of the proposal’s estimated cost.

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He opened the speech by discussing his performance since beginning his second term, saying he’s “doing a great job.” Trump quickly shifted to addressing the historical challenge that incumbent parties rarely retain control of Congress in midterm elections.

“But I say, why is it that, no matter how well you’re doing, we see not a president — Democrat or Republican — almost never wins the midterms?” Trump said.

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“We’ve got to change that because we have something going that’s so good we can’t let that string be broken. So, I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot. I’m on the ballot, just one more time.”

The payments could cost more than $1 trillion and add to the national debt. The proposal would also require congressional approval to be enacted. Some lawmakers have criticized the pledge as an attempt to buy votes, while Trump and his allies have compared the payments to corporate dividends.

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The White House posted about the PROPOSED payments in a statement Thursday, writing, “Last night, President Donald J. Trump unveiled the Trump Dividend — a historic $5,000 cash payment to every adult American citizen, made possible by the strength of the American economy under his leadership. The announcement is the latest proof that President Trump does what the so-called ‘experts’ say cannot be done: he delivers for the American people.”

“The Trump Dividend depends on President Trump and Republicans. Democrat control means America loses — and working people pay the price,” they added. 

Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca and Amanda Macias contributed to this report.