Donald Trump’s USD 5,000 Dividend Pledge Draws Bribery Charge as US Debt Tops USD 40 Trillion

Donald Trump's promise of a USD 5,000 "Trump dividend" for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of Congress in November's midterm elections has triggered accusations of bribery and disbelief over how the government would fund it. "If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000," Trump said during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. "It will be called the Trump dividend." The pledge comes even as US national debt crossed USD 40 trillion for the first time in August.

Cost Estimated At Over USD 1 Trillion

With roughly 240 million adult US citizens, the payout would cost close to USD 1.2 trillion in a single year, The Guardian reported. Marc Goldwein of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget wrote on X that the figure is "more than ALL THREE ROUNDS of COVID relief checks, despite no recessions," warning it would spike the deficit and inflation. He pointed out that the US already spends more on interest payments than on defense or Medicare, and that Social Security is six years from insolvency. Donald Trump $5,000 Dividend for Adult Americans: Full Cost Breakdown.

Republican US representative Chip Roy, from Texas, also voiced doubt, telling Politico, "Well, I would like to know how they would plan to pay for, back of envelope, well over $1tn."

Tariff Revenue Falls Far Short

Trump has previously floated funding similar payouts through tariff revenue, but the numbers do not add up. The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates the US had collected about USD 210 billion in tariff and excise tax revenue in 2026 as of September 8, at a pace of roughly USD 21 billion a month. Covering a USD 5,000 payment through tariffs alone would take nearly five years, even assuming every dollar collected went directly to the payout. Donald Trump Promises USD 5,000 'Dividend' to Every Adult American if GOP Wins Midterms (Video).

Democrats Call It 'Blood Money,' Vance Signals Retreat

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "the most corrupt man ever to occupy the Oval Office," saying he "now wants to buy your vote with $5,000 in taxpayer-funded blood money" after "making you sicker and poorer with his war." The Democratic National Committee's rapid response director, Kendall Witmer, said, "Donald Trump and Republicans are once again offering empty promises to Americans," adding that "the only people reaping the benefits of Trump's economy are himself, his family, and his ultra-rich elite donors."

Vice President JD Vance appeared to walk back the pledge, suggesting the payment would be means-tested. Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, however, backed the plan, writing on X, "I will get a bill ready so that we can get the Trump Dividend passed immediately after the November 3rd election."

Bond Markets React

Economist Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Asset Management said the pledge is already unsettling bond markets. "The promise itself is so reckless that they're dumping Treasuries, sending yields to new highs," he wrote, adding that Trump calling the payments "dividends" was misleading since "his reckless policies have produced massive deficits."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 09:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).