At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump pledged that every American adult would receive $5,000 if Republicans retain control of Congress in November. This follows his earlier promises of a DOGE dividend from Elon Musk’s budget cuts and a tariff refund from import taxes, neither of which materialized. The $5,000-per-American proposal would cost over $1 trillion, with no clear financing plan mentioned.

Trump did not specify eligibility requirements or funding sources, raising concerns about feasibility and inflationary impact. His previous cash pledges relied on illusory savings from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and tariff revenue, both of which failed to deliver. While Republicans did deliver larger tax refunds through last year’s tax cuts—funded partly by cuts to health care and food assistance—those payments did not boost Trump’s sagging approval ratings.

Critics note the pattern of ambitious cash promises lacking realistic funding, echoing past failures despite political promotion of tax refunds as a midterm incentive.