Trump's Midterm Election Pressure Mounts: $5,000 "Trump Dividend" Vote-Buying Draws Skepticism, GOP Faces Tough Battle to Hold Congress

Odaily reports — At a Republican midterm election convention, Trump made a bold promise: if Republicans retain the House and Senate in the November midterm elections, every American adult citizen will receive a $5,000 "Trump Dividend." The plan is estimated to cost over $1 trillion, but Trump did not specify the funding source, and implementation would require congressional approval. This rare promise underscores the midterm election pressure facing Trump and the Republican Party. Trump's approval ratings remain under pressure, voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living and the Iran war is rising, and several Republican candidates in fiercely contested races even skipped the convention; Republicans currently need to defend their slim House majority, and Senate seats are also facing competitive challenges. In his speech, Trump unusually asked voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot," and acknowledged that the president's party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections. He also pledged to devote more time to helping Republican candidates campaign, attempting to recast himself as the core mobilizing force for the November elections. Meanwhile, U.S. national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, and the fiscal feasibility of the $5,000 dividend plan is being questioned. Within the Republican Party, efforts to adjust the proposal are also emerging, with Senator Ted Cruz suggesting it could be designed as a tax rebate with work requirements.