Trump Proposes Sending Americans $5,000 Checks; Congress and Economists React
President Donald Trump has proposed sending $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans win the November midterms, a move that has been met with skepticism from members of Congress and economists.
BILL BARROW, LISA MASCARO, and JOSH BOAK
Updated: Thu, September 10, 2026
5 min read
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s plan to send $5,000 checks to Americans should Republicans take control of Congress in the midterms is facing sharp criticism. Congress members, who have constitutional authority over federal spending, are dismissing the idea, while economists raise concerns about inflation and the national debt.
"Donald Trump is a known liar. This is the biggest liar to ever serve in government. Period," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), during the Democratic Party’s midterm convention in Dallas. "The dividend is not happening."
Trump previously promised $2,000 or more payments, funded by savings from government efficiency and foreign import tariffs, but these measures never materialized.
His latest proposal comes amid an economy grappling with persistent inflation and rising interest rates, which have previously favored Republicans but are now undermining their prospects. Trump argues that the economy’s strength justifies the payments, yet consumer sentiment is low due to increasing gasoline prices from the Iran conflict and a struggle for wages to keep up with inflation.
Some Trump allies, like Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, have supported the idea, while critics accused him of trying to buy votes. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a prominent critic of Trump, wrote on social media, "I don’t know about you all, but frankly I’m insulted by the notion that my vote this November could be bought for 5k."
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, sarcastically suggested, "If Democrats flip the House and Senate, everyone will get a $10,000 dividend, and a pony, and free ice cream for life… (Folks can also choose free yogurt for life, because we’re Democrats after all)."
Trump’s proposal, unveiled in his Dallas speech, would cost over $1.3 trillion if Congress approved $5,000 payments to all 270 million American adults. The Treasury Department already runs an annual deficit of nearly $1.8 trillion, and the national debt exceeded $40 trillion this year. According to Treasury data, interest expense for fiscal year 2026 is projected to be around $1.27 trillion, aligning with the potential cost of Trump’s idea.
The high price tag raises concerns about debt and inflation.
