DALLAS — Donald Trump turned a Republican midterm convention here into a highly personal appeal on Wednesday, urging supporters to vote as if his own name were on the ballot and promising a $5,000 dividend for every adult US citizen if his party retains control of Congress.

The president, who is 80, delivered a long speech at the American Airlines Center, the home arena of the Dallas Mavericks, where he mixed familiar themes — tax cuts, immigration enforcement, warnings about the left — with an unexpected economic pledge. He said Republicans must win both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the dividend to be issued.

'I ask you to do as if I were on the ballot,' Trump told the crowd, according to accounts of the event. 'Here is my promise: if Republicans win both the House and the Senate, thanks to our economic successes... I will issue a dividend of $5,000 for every adult citizen of the United States.'

He did not explain how such a program would be financed. Independent observers quickly noted that sending $5,000 to roughly 260 million American adults would cost about $1.3 trillion, a sum larger than the annual federal deficit and one that would almost certainly require massive borrowing or cuts elsewhere. The lack of detail did not appear to dampen the enthusiasm of the party faithful in Dallas.

Key Facts

• Trump spoke at a Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, on September 9, 2026.
• He asked voters to treat the midterms as a referendum on him, saying: 'I ask you to do as if I were on the ballot.'
• He promised a $5,000 dividend for every adult US citizen if Republicans win both the House and the Senate.
• He offered no funding mechanism for the proposal, which analysts estimate could cost about $1.3 trillion.
• Democrats are projected to take the House and possibly the Senate in the November 3 elections, according to Decision Desk HQ.
• Trump's approval rating remains below 35% in some surveys, and cost-of-living concerns are hurting Republicans.
• The convention format is unusual for midterms, normally reserved for presidential election years.

The event was the first Republican convention of its kind before a midterm election, a break from tradition that party officials hoped would energize a base that has shown signs of fatigue. Trump has said he intends to campaign across the country until Election Day, betting that his personal brand can overcome weak national numbers. But the latest projections suggest that bet may be difficult to win.

An Unconventional Midterm Convention

For decades, both major parties have reserved national conventions for presidential election years. Midterm campaigns are typically fought district by district, with the president often kept at a distance when his popularity is low. This year, Republicans decided to try something different, organizing a large gathering in Dallas that featured dozens of speakers and a primetime address by Trump.

The venue filled slowly over the afternoon. The upper tiers, decorated with American flags, remained largely empty, and about one-third of the seating was closed off by black curtains behind a stage lined with giant screens. Even so, the atmosphere was festive. Red clothing — the color of the Republican Party — was everywhere, and the American flag appeared on everything from caps to a sequined dress.

Trump's speech lasted well over an hour. He revisited his 2024 economic record, claiming credit for tax cuts and deregulation. He praised his administration's immigration crackdown and warned that a Democratic victory would bring 'communism' to the United States. He also defended the unpopular conflict with Iran, a position that has divided his own party but remains popular among his core supporters.

The $5,000 Dividend Promise

The most striking moment came when Trump pivoted to economic policy. With polls showing voters deeply worried about the cost of living, he offered a direct cash promise. 'If Republicans win both the House of Representatives and the Senate,' he said, 'thanks to our economic successes... I will issue a dividend of $5,000 for every adult citizen of the United States.'

The idea resembles the stimulus checks sent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but on a far larger and permanent-seeming scale. A $5,000 payment to every adult would be one of the largest direct transfer programs in US history. It is unclear whether Trump meant a one-time dividend, an annual payment, or something else. His campaign did not provide a cost estimate or a funding source.

Economists warned that such a payment could fuel inflation, widen the deficit, and undermine the Federal Reserve's efforts to control prices. Some conservative

Source:MSN News