President Donald Trump is promising a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control in the November midterm elections.
Trump announced the proposal Wednesday at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, calling it a “Trump dividend.”
The proposal could have a price tag of more than $1 trillion. With nearly 270 million adults living in the United States, the estimated cost would be about $1.35 trillion.
Trump did not explain how the payments would be funded or administered.
Vice President JD Vance later suggested that wealthy Americans might not qualify and pointed to federal tariff revenue as a possible source of funding. However, the amount raised through tariffs would be far below what would be needed for the proposed payments.
The plan would also require congressional action.
Trump does not have unilateral authority to send more than $1 trillion in federal payments to Americans, according to the Associated Press.
For families facing high housing, food and other everyday costs, the proposal could be significant if enacted.
However, major questions remain about who would qualify, how it would be paid for and whether Congress would approve it.
