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After Trump promised to pay $5,000 if Republicans win, here's what to expect Thursday
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At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump made a stunning and implausible pledge: to send every American adult a $5,000 cash dividend. But only if his party maintains control of the House and the Senate in November's midterms.
"If the Republicans win, you win with us," Trump said to applause. "And it will be called the 'Trump dividend'. Congratulations. Now all we have to do is win."
That's a big "if." Republicans are facing significant political headwinds.
"We might not win," Trump admitted.
Politics Fetterman, already at odds with his party, makes surprise video for GOP convention Quick math puts the bill for this proposed "dividend" at more than $1 trillion. Plus, it's illegal to pay or be paid to influence voting.
House Democrats in Dallas Thursday to counter program the convention quickly attacked the announcement.
Robert Garcia, D-Calif., called the president a "known liar."
"The dividend is not happening," Garcia added. "[Trump] promised a dividend on tariffs. That didn't happen. He promised a dividend on DOGE. That didn't happen. He promised some strange, new dividend from Air Force One, what six months ago? That never happened."
"There's no one in the country that thinks somehow this new dividend is actually going to happen," he said.
Trump's address last night was a wide ranging, rally-style speech where he did everything from defend the Iran war to criticize the fashion sense of one Republican Senate candidate. He attacked Democrats as communist and extremists and begged Republicans to vote in November as if he were on the ballot.
"Please pretend that I'm running," he said.
By the time Republicans hold their next convention in 2028, Trump will no longer be the center of the party's attention. There will be a new nominee and de facto party leader charting a course for Republicans.
The program tonight will include a tribute to the late republican activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated one year ago, and an observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which is Friday.
MAGA celebrities and cabinet members will also grace the stage tonight. Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to speak, along with Donald Trump Jr. and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
9, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
Texas Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton walks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept. 9, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running to represent the state in the US Senate made those points, but also used his speech to ask for money.
"I need your prayers, your vote and your support," Paxton said. "If we lose Texas, we lose the common sense revolution. If we lose the common sense revolution, we lose America."
His Democratic opponent, state Rep. James Talarico has a campaign cash advantage but Trump's Super PAC, MAGA Inc. just committed to spend $10 million, propping up Paxton and hitting Talarico. A Republican shouldn't be in a tight race in Texas, but Paxton has been plagued by scandal and weak fundraising.
Trump, in his remarks, urged Texans to vote for Paxton despite what the president considers to be his flaws.
"Some may not like the way he dresses. I don't," Trump said as part of a lengthy and lighthearted critique of the man he endorsed.
NPR's Stephen Fowler contributed reporting.
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− Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Trump, Vance to close out Republican convention Thursday night President Trump promised to send every adult citizen $5,000, but only if Republicans maintain control of Congress in the midterm election, drawing a strong response from House Democrats.
+ Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Last night of the Republican convention underway in Dallas President Trump promised to send every adult citizen $5,000, but only if Republicans maintain control of Congress in the midterm election, drawing a strong response from House Democrats.
− Elections Democrats blast $5,000 payment promise ahead of Trump, Vance speeches in Dallas Updated September 10, 20261:13 PM ET Originally published September 10, 20265:00 AM ET Heard on All Things Considered Tamara Keith
Attendees wear letters that spell out TRUMP on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept.
+ Elections Vance, Trump speaking at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas Updated September 10, 20267:21 PM ET Originally published September 10, 20265:00 AM ET Heard on All Things Considered By
Tamara Keith
,
Maham Javaid
Attendees wear letters that spell out TRUMP on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept.
+ "I kind of think they should take it and put it into the debt," said Meredith Smith, a convention attendee from Austin, Texas. "A lot of people are going to like [the payment]. But it also smacks of the other side."
Smith said she has mixed feelings.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Texas also denounced the President's promise of $5,000 to each adult American. At a press conference in Miami on Thursday, DeSantis said this amount of money would only cause more debt and inflation.
− Rep.
+ Elections This is what happened at the first night of the Republicans' midterm convention Rep.
− "If we don't have the majorities, so much can be lost."
Trump spoke for an hour and 44 minutes, far longer than scheduled.
+ "If we don't have the majorities, so much can be lost."
Much of the messaging from convention speakers Thursday echoed the idea of the Republican Party being on the side of common sense, and positioning Democrats as too extreme.
− He will deliver closing remarks tonight as well.
"But I'm not doing a big deal like this," he joked.
+ "Republicans stand for common sense," said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
− "I gave you a lot of material.
+ "The Democrat party has been taken over by crazy, far-left radicals."
Some of that messaging focused on the rise of left-aligned candidates, but Sen.
− I don't have to do it twice."
The two-night event, hatched by Trump, was meant for Republicans to energize the base ahead of the midterms.
+ Ted Cruz of Texas took it further and may have been one of the first speakers at the convention to conflate communism and Islamism.
− "It took a little imagination to think of it," Trump said of the first ever Republican midterm convention.
Elections This is what happened at the first night of the Republicans' midterm convention In a preview of what to expect tonight, the focus on Trump was clear as the event kicked off Wednesday, with a lineup of Republican lawmakers, candidates and everyday Americans, praising the president and his policies.
+ "Communist and Islamists coming together and sweeping over the Democrat Party," said Cruz.
− It was capped off by Trump's headlining speech.
+ "They are united because they share the same enemies."
Cruz said those enemies include Christians, Jews, capitalism, the Constitution and America.
− Speaking to an arena with whole sections of empty seats, Trump rallied the party faithful.
"The midterms are not supposed to be won by [the party of] the sitting president, and we're going to change that," Trump said, promising to visit the states and districts of every Republican facing a close race.
Tonight, Trump will share the convention's final hour with Vice President Vance.
+ "Shariah law has no place in America," said Cruz to massive applause in Dallas.
+ "Shariah law is fundamentally inconsistent with the constitution, and we need to stand together and stop it now."
Tonight, Trump will share the convention's final hour with Vice President Vance.
− Over the course of the convention, 19 Republicans in competitive House and Senate races will deliver short stump speeches.
+ Texas Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton walks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept.
− Many of them have used the stage to position the Republican Party as the party of the American people, painting Democrats as aligned with "socialism" and "communism."
Texas Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton walks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept.