US President Donald Trump, during the campaign ahead of the midterm elections, repeated his promise to pay $5,000 to every adult citizen of the country if the Republican Party retains control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. He made the statement in a video published on the Truth Social platform on October 3.
As CNBC reports, Trump did not specify who exactly would have to approve the payments or what sources would be used to finance them. Paying $5,000 to every adult citizen would cost approximately $1.2 trillion, according to the outlet’s estimate, and would require congressional approval.
The day before, the president announced one-time payments of $90 for 20.8 million Medicare recipients. Funds for some participants in the Medicare Part B program are expected to arrive this month from the Medicare Improvement Fund.
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Also last week, $500 checks began arriving for approximately 950,000 people who purchased unsubsidized health insurance through the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace. According to a Reuters analysis, 71% of these funds, or $339 million, go to residents of 13 states with competitive Senate and gubernatorial elections. Eligibility for the payment is determined by insurance status, not voting status.
Some Republicans expressed concern about the proposal’s potential impact on the budget deficit and inflation. Republican Congressman David Schweikert told Reuters that he would try to stop the initiative because, in his view, it could raise interest rates. Democrat Jamie Raskin called the plan a political bribe and stressed that Congress controls federal budget spending.
Polls indicate mixed views on the idea. According to Rasmussen Reports, likely voters were almost evenly divided, with 47% opposed and 48% in favor, while 15% of respondents said the payments would affect their choice. Trump has previously promised cash payments that were not implemented, including the so-called DOGE dividend checks proposed in 2025.
Source: UA
