U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno is preparing legislation to support President Donald Trump’s recent promise: a $5,000 dividend for every adult citizen, contingent on Republicans securing majorities in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate in the upcoming midterms. President Trump made this announcement on Wednesday at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas, acknowledging the competitive nature of this year's elections.
Trump stated that if Republicans achieve these victories due to "tremendous economic success," he would "issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000." The president added a stipulation, noting this money could only be spent within the United States.
Senator Moreno, Ohio's senior senator, attended the Dallas convention and was the first to offer assistance in drafting the necessary legislation. In a post on X, Moreno declared he would "get a bill ready" for the "Trump Dividend" to pass immediately after the November 3rd election if Republicans win.
The financial implications of such a proposal are significant. President Trump did not provide details on how the payout to an estimated 270 million adults, costing more than a trillion dollars, would be funded. Jonathan Entin, a retired law professor from Case Western Reserve University, stated that such a payout would not be possible "unless Congress were to appropriate the money."
Regarding the legality, Entin noted that while it is illegal to buy votes, these payouts would not be exclusive to Republican voters. He pointed out that Trump's statement indicated he would "pay every American however they voted." Entin also raised questions about potential prosecution, observing that even former presidents "have very broad immunity from criminal prosecution in connection with their official actions."
Not everyone expressed support for the proposal. Michael McGovern, president of the progressive organization Innovation Ohio, characterized the promise as "another empty promise." McGovern further criticized the proposal, asking, "This is the same party that has cracked down on people’s ability to give out water or pizza to people waiting in line to vote, now is throwing around $5000 but ‘only if you vote for us?'" He concluded that he did not believe it "passes the smell test, and really reeks of desperation."
U.S. Senator Jon Husted, also from Ohio, said in a Thursday interview that he sought more details about the plan. He indicated that "the principle is right in line" with the working family tax cut plan's goals of giving people more of their earnings to spend on their priorities. However, Husted also acknowledged the national debt, which is approximately $40 trillion, adding that he cares about congressional spending.
Husted delivered a speech at the same convention, amid an ongoing U.S. Senate race widely regarded as one of the most competitive nationally. During his address, Husted highlighted benefits attributed to the GOP, including preventing a "huge tax increase," cutting taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, and expanding child care credits for working families. He also primarily targeted his opponent, Sherrod Brown.
Brown’s campaign team criticized Husted for being in Dallas rather than Ohio with the election approaching. In an August interview, Brown previously criticized Husted for giving "more tax cuts to rich people" and not addressing costs like groceries and gas. Brown has also voiced criticism of Husted for supporting continued involvement in the Iran war.
President Trump also commented on the Iran conflict prior to the convention, suggesting it would conclude after the midterms. "They can’t hold out any longer," Trump said, asserting their desperation to influence the election. McGovern, however, expressed doubt about this claim as well, stating he didn't "believe a word that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth" when it comes to the Middle East war. He added that such promises of the war ending soon have been heard "again and again."
