PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release September 10, 2026
Trump's $5,000 Promise is Vote Buying
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Donald Trump has apparently decided that if he can’t convince Americans that Republican control of Washington has made their lives better, he’ll simply promise to pay them $5,000 if they vote the right way.
Speaking at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Trump promised a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” to every adult American citizen — but only if Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump told voters.
“Call it whatever you want — a dividend, a rebate or another Trump giveaway — but when the President of the United States tells Americans that they’ll get $5,000 if they keep his political party in power, it sure looks like vote buying,” said West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin. “It’s the ultimate political quid pro quo: give Republicans your vote and Donald Trump promises to give you a check.”
And Trump hasn’t bothered to explain where the money would come from.
Providing $5,000 to every adult American citizen would cost approximately $1.2 trillion to $1.35 trillion — potentially adding more than a trillion dollars to a federal deficit already running around $1.8 trillion unless Congress raised taxes or cut spending elsewhere.
This isn’t Trump’s first imaginary check.
Americans are still waiting for the $5,000 “DOGE Dividend” Trump floated after taking office. That check never arrived.
Then came Trump’s promised $2,000 tariff rebate. That check never arrived either.
Now, less than two months before the midterm elections, Trump has discovered another $5,000 check — conveniently payable only if Americans keep Republicans in charge of Congress.
“Donald Trump is starting to sound like a sweepstakes company,” Pushkin said. “Every few months there’s another enormous check supposedly headed for your mailbox. The DOGE check disappeared. The tariff rebate disappeared. And now we’re supposed to believe a $5,000 ‘Trump Dividend’ will magically appear if voters just elect enough Republicans?”
Meanwhile, Americans don’t need more promises of imaginary money sometime after Election Day. They need relief right now - especially with gas now above $4.00 a gallon and diesel fuel above $6.00 a gallon.
Trump’s tariffs have increased costs and uncertainty for American consumers and businesses. Inflation remains elevated. Energy prices and borrowing costs are squeezing household budgets. And the national debt has surpassed $40 trillion.
“West Virginians don’t need Donald Trump promising them $5,000 after the election,” Pushkin said. “They need a President and a Congress who will lower their costs today.”
“Our democracy isn’t for sale — and neither are West Virginia voters.”
###