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US President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 dividend payment to adult American citizens if Republicans retain enough support to win both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump made the announcement during his keynote address at the Republican Party's first midterm election convention in Dallas on Wednesday, September 9.
Trump ties payment to Republican victory
Addressing party supporters, Trump said the proposed payment would be linked directly to the outcome of the midterm elections.
"If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them ... because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000," Trump said.
He described the proposed payment as a dividend rather than a conventional government benefit. Trump also said there would be a condition attached to how recipients could use the money.
"The only caveat I have is that the dividend that we're making must be spent in the United States of America," he added.
Trump calls it the 'Trump dividend'
Trump said he did not want recipients taking the money overseas to spend it. Referring specifically to Canada, China and Germany, he said the payment should be used within the US.
"If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump dividend," Trump said.
The president did not explain how the proposed scheme would work or what criteria would determine who qualifies for the payment.
Details of proposal remain unclear
The eligibility requirements remain uncertain, including whether all adult US citizens would receive the money and how the government would enforce the condition on domestic spending.
There are an estimated 245 million adult American citizens around the world. Based on that figure, the proposed payments could amount to around $1.22 trillion, according to Newsweek. Trump, however, specifically referred to adult citizens "in the United States of America", potentially leaving out roughly 2 million US citizens living abroad.
No further details were immediately provided about the proposal, including its funding, implementation or how spending would be monitored.
