United States President Donald Trump has said he would give $5,000 to every American if Republicans win the midterm elections in November, a pledge he made without explaining where the money would come from or whether such a payment would be legal.
The promise was delivered as Trump addressed the Republican National Convention, where party figures are looking to a «midterm convention» to counter the president's unpopularity with voters ahead of the congressional elections. Trump also used the appearance to defend the war with Iran and his use of tariffs, both of which have drawn scrutiny at home and abroad.
The proposed payment, framed as an incentive tied to the outcome of the midterms, was not accompanied by any detail on funding, eligibility or the mechanism by which it would be delivered. No legislation has been put forward, and the president did not say whether the money would come from federal revenue, borrowing or another source.
The pledge comes as Republicans prepare for a midterm campaign in which the president's approval ratings are a central concern for the party. The convention gathering is intended to rally support and present a unified message before voters go to the polls.
Trump's remarks on Iran and tariffs formed the other main strand of his address. He defended the conflict with Iran and the tariff measures his administration has pursued, positions that have shaped his economic and foreign policy agenda.
In a separate contest, Stefany Shaheen has won the Democratic nomination for the House seat previously held by Chris Pappas. Shaheen is the daughter of Jeanne Shaheen, a former governor of New Hampshire who has represented the state in the Senate since 2009.
Her family ties to the Democratic establishment, and accusations of nepotism, became a line of attack from her opponent during the primary campaign. The nomination sets up a general election contest for the seat.
The Republican convention and the New Hampshire result together frame the political landscape as both parties position themselves for the midterms. For Republicans, the president's direct appeal to voters with a cash pledge represents an unusual campaign argument, and one that raises immediate questions about feasibility and legality that have yet to be answered.
No timeline was given for when the $5,000 payment would be made if Republicans were to win, and no official documentation has been released to support the proposal. The absence of detail leaves the pledge as a campaign statement rather than a policy with a defined path to implementation.
The midterm elections will determine control of Congress, and the outcome will shape the remainder of Trump's term. His appearance at the convention, and the reaction to his pledge, are likely to feature in the campaign ahead.
