Trump Pledges $5,000 Payments to American Adults if Republicans Retain Control of Congress
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has promised $5,000 payments to every adult American citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, saying revenue from tariffs would fund the initiative.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Wasilla, Alaska, Trump said the proposed payments, which he called a “Trump dividend,” would be available only if Republicans maintained majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate.
“If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate, I’m going to give all adult citizens in the United States $5,000. And only Republicans can do that because the Democrats can’t, because we’re taking in massive amounts of money,” Trump told supporters.
He said recipients would be required to spend the money domestically, declaring that “the Trump dividend that you get must be spent in the United States of America.”
Trump did not provide details about how the payments would be distributed, when Americans could expect to receive them or the total cost of the proposal. Such payments would require congressional approval.
The president also warned of severe economic consequences if Democrats gained control of Congress, claiming the country would face a “1929 style economic depression.”
Trump was campaigning for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is seeking reelection against Democrat Mary Peltola. During the rally, Trump criticized Peltola, referring to her as “no show Mary.” Early voting in Alaska is scheduled to begin October 19.
The president also addressed the conflict with Iran, reiterating that Tehran would not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons and predicting that an end to the fighting would bring down energy prices.
He claimed the United States had secured control of the Strait of Hormuz and that oil shipments through the strategic waterway had increased beyond prewar levels.
“We’ve been taking more oil out of the Straits now than we did before the war started, believe it or not. We control the Straits,” Trump said.
He also suggested additional action against Iran, telling the crowd, “Wait till you see what we do to Iran,” without providing further details.
During the event, Trump granted a full pardon to Mark Spurlock and signed pardons for Anchorage diesel mechanics Zachary Schubach and Patrick Fleming, who had been convicted of violating the Clean Air Act by modifying vehicle emissions controls.
“They want to put them in jail for ten years because they fixed an engine,” Trump said in defending the pardons.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr also addressed the rally, announcing that the agency would vote this month on an additional $162 million investment to expand high-speed internet access across Alaska.
Trump used the appearance to criticize Canada over trade relations, accusing the country of taking advantage of the United States. He also repeated claims that Democrats had allowed 25 million people to enter the country across its borders, without providing evidence for the figure.
The rally took place at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center as part of a campaign trip that also includes stops in Nevada, Arizona and Montana.
The president’s remarks come as fuel prices and economic concerns remain prominent campaign issues, with tensions in the Persian Gulf continuing to affect global oil markets, including those closely monitored by India. (Source: IANS)
