Trump Resorts to Populist Gimmicks: Promises $5,000 Checks to Buy Votes, Pushes Medicare Handouts
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President Donald Trump unveiled a plan to hand out meager $90 Medicare payments and dangled a $5,000 check for every adult U.S. citizen, but only if Republicans keep Congress. The funding for these blatant vote-buying schemes remains a mystery.
President Donald Trump, in a transparent attempt to sway voters ahead of the November elections, took to Truth Social on Saturday to repeat his hollow promise of a $5,000 check for every adult American—contingent on Republicans maintaining control of Congress. This latest ploy comes on the heels of his announcement of a paltry one-time $90 payment to about 20.8 million Medicare Part B enrollees, using the Medicare Improvement Fund as a political tool rather than a genuine support mechanism.
The $90 payments, part of existing federal programs, are joined by recent $500 refunds to roughly 950,000 individuals who purchased unsubsidized coverage through the federal marketplace. A Reuters analysis revealed that most of these Obamacare refunds are being funneled to residents in 13 key battleground states, raising questions about the true motives behind the timing and targeting of these payments, even if eligibility is technically based on insurance status.
Trump has failed to provide any details on how the $5,000 handout would be funded or which agency would oversee it. With estimates putting the cost at a staggering $1.2 trillion, congressional approval would be required—a tall order given the fiscal irresponsibility of such a move. Even some Republicans, like Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), have voiced concerns, warning that the plan could drive up interest rates. Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) rightfully called out the proposal as a "political bribe."
Public reaction is mixed, with a Rasmussen Reports survey showing voters split 47% to 48% on support, and a mere 15% saying it would affect their vote. In Wisconsin, a Marquette Law School poll found 70% opposition, while an Economist/YouGov survey showed 57% of registered voters doubting Trump could deliver on his promise, even with Republican control of Congress.
This proposal is just the latest in a series of Trump-era stunts, including the undelivered $5,000 "DOGE dividend" and a tariff-funded payout blocked by the Supreme Court. The administration did manage to send a $1,776 "Warrior Dividend" to 1.5 million service members last year, but these token gestures pale in comparison to the real needs of working Americans. Once again, Trump is using empty promises and public funds as campaign tools rather than addressing the systemic issues facing the country.