During his primetime address at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump unveiled a bold proposal: a $5,000 dividend check for every American adult, contingent on the GOP maintaining control of both the House and Senate. While the announcement drew applause from many in attendance, it has also triggered a wave of criticism from within the party, with some supporters and conservative commentators labeling the move as “flagrant bribery.”
Tech investor Joe Lonsdale, who was hosting a fundraiser for Republican midterm efforts in Dallas, expressed strong opposition to the plan despite his general support for the administration. In a post on X, Lonsdale stated, “For the record, I am hugely in favor of winning the midterms, and love much about this admin, but am strongly against bread and circus bribes.”
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh echoed this sentiment, calling the proposal “idiotic” and a form of welfare. “This is flagrant bribery. Which I could maybe stomach if the plan itself was at least sensible and coherent, but it isn’t,” Walsh wrote. Former Republican Representative Bob Good of Virginia, the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, similarly dismissed the pledge as a “socialist vote-buying scheme” that would carry a price tag of nearly $1 trillion.
The financial viability of the proposal remains a point of contention. Trump suggested that the $1.2 trillion cost could be covered by the “tremendous strength and success” of the economy and revenue generated from his tariffs. However, critics point out that the estimated cost far exceeds the actual revenue the U.S. government has collected from new tariffs. Furthermore, legal experts note that the executive branch lacks the authority to unilaterally appropriate federal funds, meaning the plan would likely require congressional approval.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky mocked the offer on social media, stating he was insulted by the idea that his vote could be purchased for $5,000 and warning of potential inflationary consequences. He jokingly added that he could not accept “a penny less than 10k.”
Despite the backlash, many attendees at the Dallas convention viewed the proposal as a strategic move to boost voter turnout. Rick Hunt, a Republican national committeeman from Washington, defended the plan as a way to return tariff revenue to the public. Nina Webber, a Wyoming Republican committeewoman, noted that while some voters might appreciate the financial relief, others are questioning the necessity and intent behind the promise.
For some, the proposal is viewed through the lens of the party’s evolving platform. Georgia Republican National Committeewoman Amy Kremer argued that Trump is attempting to alleviate the burden on working-class Americans struggling with high costs for essentials like gas and beef. While she acknowledged that government spending remains a concern, she suggested the move reflects the party’s shift toward representing middle-class interests.
Skepticism also persists regarding whether the president will follow through on the promise. During his second term, Trump previously floated the idea of a $5,000 dividend check funded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a $2,000 tariff check, neither of which were implemented. Jerome Spell, an attendee from Windom, Texas, noted that he is taking a wait-and-see approach, prioritizing the goal of maintaining Republican control of Congress over the dividend itself. His wife, Violet Spell, a Texas precinct chair, added, “If everything works out right, and we can afford it, that would be OK.” The report also notes that but despite his allegiances, Lonsdale made it clear he’s not a fan of an extraordinary offer Trump announced in the speech: a promise of $5,000 dividend checks to all American adults if Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate. The report also notes that it’s not unlike the pushback Trump’s midterm gambit has garnered from Democrats. The report also notes that including people who are not even net taxpayers ‒ which makes this, yes, welfare ‒ is idiotic, spending over a trillion dollars to randomly send everyone in the country a check for five grand. The report also notes that but frankly I’m insulted by the notion that my vote this November could be bought for 5k, i don’t know about you all.
