U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to pay every American adult a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
Trump made the proposal on Wednesday, September 9, during the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, in an apparent attempt to persuade voters to support Republican candidates.
However, it remains unclear how the proposed payments would be funded or whether such a programme would be legally possible.
With approximately 270 million adults in the United States, the proposed payments could cost about $1.35 trillion.
During an hour-and-45-minute address, Trump placed himself at the centre of the midterm campaign, claiming his administration had delivered “the greatest two years in the history of the presidency.”
He urged voters to back Republican candidates, warning that a Democratic victory would set the country back.
“We hand America’s future to the radical left Democrats, and our nation will spend the next decade just getting back on its feet,” Trump said.
“Vote Republicans and we will leave the world in our dust for generations to come.”
The two-day Republican gathering is being held ahead of the November 3 midterm elections and highlights the extent to which the party’s electoral strategy remains closely tied to Trump.
Trump also told supporters that he plans to visit battleground states and districts in the eight weeks leading up to Election Day.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he said.
The president’s strong involvement in the campaign comes as Republicans face the possibility of losing control of at least one chamber of Congress, with opinion polls indicating growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living and other issues.
Several Republican lawmakers facing competitive races stayed away from the convention, while others attended and were scheduled to speak in an effort to rally support for the party.
Meanwhile, several Republican speakers used the convention to attack Democrats, describing them as “socialists” and “communists” and accusing them of taking extreme positions on issues including border security and transgender participation in sports.
However, issues such as the cost of living and the war in Iran received comparatively less attention during the early stages of the convention.
Trump defended his decision to attack Tehran, saying the action was aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He also promised that oil prices would fall once the United States wins the war.
The Republican convention continues on Thursday, September 10, with Vice President JD Vance scheduled to deliver the keynote address before Trump gives the closing remarks.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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