President Donald Trump has pledged to send a $5,000 dividend to every adult U.S. citizen if the Republican Party wins control of both the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, according to fortune.com. The promise, first made on September 9, has seen shifting details about eligibility as the election approaches, causing uncertainty among voters.
Trump initially announced the $5,000 payment as an incentive tied to a GOP sweep of Congress. However, the specifics of who will receive the dividend have changed repeatedly in recent weeks. This has led to widespread skepticism among voters about whether the payment will actually materialize. A September poll by The Economist and YouGov found that only 21% of registered voters believe Trump would definitely or probably issue the dividend, while 57% think he probably or definitely would not.
The proposal comes amid a global trend of governments seeking ways to boost voter turnout, including paid holidays and transportation to polling stations, as noted by International IDEA. Trump’s cash incentive is a novel approach in the U.S. political landscape. Despite the promise, less than half of Republicans (45%) believe Trump will follow through with the payment, highlighting doubts even within his base.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November, with the outcome determining whether the GOP gains control of Congress and whether the $5,000 dividend promise will be fulfilled. The evolving details and low voter confidence in the payout underscore the contentious nature of this campaign pledge.