US President Donald Trump has made an extraordinary election promise ahead of the November midterm elections.
He said every American adult would receive a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans retain control of Congress.
Trump announced the proposal on Wednesday during the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas.
However, questions immediately emerged about how the payments would work and whether such payments would be legal.
With approximately 270 million American adults, the proposed programme could cost around $1.35 trillion.
Trump delivered the proposal during an hour-and-45-minute primetime address at the Republican gathering.
He also placed himself firmly at the centre of the November 3 elections.
Trump claimed he had completed “the greatest two years in the history of the presidency.”
Meanwhile, his party faces growing concerns over voter dissatisfaction with living costs and the war with Iran.
Trump Puts Himself at Centre of Midterm Campaign
The two-day Republican gathering highlights how closely the party’s electoral fortunes remain tied to Trump.
The event also reflects the party’s strategy ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters informally called the gathering “Trumpapalooza.”
The name refers to the popular Lollapalooza music festival.
Trump told supporters that he planned to visit battleground states and competitive districts before Election Day.
He also made a direct appeal to voters by asking them to treat him as though he were personally on the ballot.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said.
The strategy could energise Trump’s strongest supporters. However, it could also create problems for Republicans in closely contested races.
Some Republican candidates may need distance from Trump to attract independent and swing voters.
At the same time, they cannot easily risk losing his committed political base.
Several Republicans facing difficult races therefore skipped the Dallas convention.
Those who stayed away included Michigan Representative Tom Barrett, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan and Maine Senator Susan Collins.
All three face strong Democratic challengers this fall.
However, at least 16 candidates in competitive House and Senate races were scheduled to address the convention.
Among Wednesday’s speakers were Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Ohio Senator Jon Husted.
Paxton, a close Trump ally, faces Democratic lawmaker James Talarico in a competitive Senate race.
Meanwhile, Husted faces former Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio.
Trump Promises Iran War Will End After Election
Trump also made a striking prediction about the ongoing war with Iran.
He told reporters that the conflict would end “immediately after” the November midterm elections.
According to Trump, Tehran is attempting to influence the US election.
He argued that Iran would not be able to continue resisting because of mounting US economic pressure.
“I think war is going to end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer. They’re desperate to try and affect the election,” he told reporters.
Trump also defended the decision to attack Tehran.
He said the strikes were intended to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
He further promised that oil prices would fall once the United States wins the war.
However, the conflict has continued for more than six months since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began.
Analysts have also said that Iran’s nuclear programme has not been eliminated.
Iran, meanwhile, denies seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.
The war remains one of the major issues facing Republican candidates ahead of the midterms.
Cost of Living Receives Less Attention
Despite its importance to voters, the Iran conflict received limited attention from several convention speakers.
The cost of living also received comparatively less focus during the early part of the programme.
Instead, Republican speakers concentrated heavily on attacks against Democrats.
They portrayed Democrats as extreme on issues including transgender participation in sports and border security.
Before Trump appeared, several speakers repeatedly described Democrats as “socialists” and “communists.”
The attacks echoed one of Trump’s preferred political themes.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who leads the Republican Senate campaign effort, also attacked Democrats.
“Democrats are “dangerous, radical and weird,” said Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chairman of the party’s Senate campaign arm.
However, some Republicans at the convention acknowledged concerns among voters about the war.
Alabama state Representative Ernie Yarbrough said Trump needed to provide greater clarity about the conflict.
“People want to feel like we’re not getting stuck in an endless cycle,” he said.
His comments reflected concerns about how long the conflict could continue.
Fetterman’s Surprise Appearance Draws Attention
The convention also featured an unexpected appearance from Democratic Senator John Fetterman.
A pre-recorded video showed Fetterman introducing Republican Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania.
Fetterman described McCormick as his “great friend.”
He also said he would work with Trump to protect Pennsylvania’s steel industry.
The appearance highlighted the growing ideological divisions within the Democratic Party.
Fetterman has increasingly clashed with left-wing Democrats in recent months.
However, he has denied speculation that he could leave the Democratic Party.
Republicans Face Difficult Midterm Test
The Republican gathering comes less than two months before Americans vote in the midterm elections.
The party faces the possibility of losing control of at least one chamber of Congress.
Public polling has shown stronger Democratic motivation to vote.
At the same time, Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to deeply unpopular levels.
That creates a difficult political calculation for Republican candidates.
They must benefit from Trump’s loyal supporters while also appealing to voters concerned about inflation and foreign policy.
Trump’s decision to make the convention heavily centred on himself reflects that challenge.
He is betting that his political influence can mobilise the voters who helped return him to the presidency.
Yet the same strategy could create difficulties for Republicans in closely fought contests.
The convention also competed for television audiences with the opening night of the NFL season.
The event coincided with a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
Still, Republican leaders see the gathering as an opportunity to energise their voters.
They also hope to promote candidates and draw sharper contrasts with Democrats.
Trump’s $5,000 dividend proposal adds another major element to that campaign strategy.
The proposal, combined with his prediction about the Iran war, places economic relief and foreign policy at the centre of his election message.
With November 3 approaching, Republicans now face a crucial test of whether Trump’s political appeal can overcome growing voter concerns.
