US President Donald Trump has promised to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
Trump made the pledge while addressing the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, as the party faces challenging opinion polls ahead of the elections.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump dividend,” he told supporters.
Trump did not explain how the proposed payments would be funded. A nationwide payment of $5,000 to every adult could cost more than $1 trillion.
The president also urged Republicans to treat the election as if he were personally on the ballot.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said.
“I’m on the ballot, I’m on the ballot — just one more time,” he added.
Opinion polls have shown Trump’s approval ratings in the low 30s, with voters expressing growing concerns over high prices and his administration’s war with Iran.
Decision Desk HQ projects that Democrats could win the House with 230 seats to Republicans’ 205, while Democrats could take the Senate 51-49.
Trump also defended his administration’s military action against Iran, despite its unpopularity, and linked a possible victory to falling oil prices.
“Food prices and almost every other item are rapidly going down. And by the way, oil will be going down as soon as we win the war with Iran, which is taking place right now,” he said.
He also suggested that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz should be renamed after him.
Trump echoed Republican warnings about what he described as a growing threat of communism if Democrats win control of Congress.
“It’s going to be a communist country if they win,” he told the crowd.
“Your vote will decide whether our country stumbles at the starting gate of the next 250 years or surges forward and never ever looks back,” he added.
The Republican gathering is the first national convention organised specifically for a midterm election, although no candidates are being nominated and no formal party business is scheduled.
Instead, organisers have turned the two-night event into a rally aimed at promoting Trump’s record and Republican candidates.
More than 100 House members and candidates were expected to attend, with more than 50 speakers and presentations planned each night.
The event highlights a key Republican challenge: whether Trump can mobilise his loyal supporters without further alienating independent voters who have become dissatisfied with his presidency.
