‘Will sign those checks’: Trump repeats $5,000 promise to US adults if Republicans win 2026 midterms
US President Donald Trump has again promised to give every adult US citizen USD 5,000 if Republicans win control of both the House of Representatives and Senate in the November midterm elections.In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Trump repeated the pledge, writing: “If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 Midterm Elections, I’m going to give all Adult Citizens in the United States of America, $5,000.” He added: “I look forward to signing those checks!”Trump had first announced the proposed payment last month at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, calling it a “Trump dividend”.He said at the time that Americans would receive the money if Republicans retained control of Congress.Trump has suggested that tariff revenues and what he describes as strong economic performance would help fund the payments. However, no detailed plan has been provided on how the checks would be financed or distributed, and the proposal would require congressional action. Estimates have put the potential cost at more than USD 1 trillion.The renewed USD 5,000 pledge comes as Trump has also announced a separate one-time payment of USD 90 to more than 20 million Medicare enrollees.The administration says the payment will help seniors cover part of their Medicare Part B premiums, with the money coming from the Medicare Improvement Fund.The Medicare payment is expected to be distributed through direct deposits or mailed checks, according to the administration. The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is USD 202.90, meaning the one-time payment would cover less than half of one month’s premium.Trump’s USD 5,000 proposal is separate from the Medicare payment and from the USD 500 refunds the administration has begun sending to nearly one million Americans over what it describes as excessive Affordable Care Act fees.The president has tied the USD 5,000 payment directly to the midterm election outcome, saying Republicans must win both chambers for the proposed dividend to be issued.The pledge has drawn scrutiny over its financing and whether such a payment could be authorised under existing law.
