Trump Defends $5,000 Voter Dividend Proposal Amid Reporter Questioning
President Trump said the $5,000 payment to voters is intended as a reward for those who endured the previous administration's policies, after a reporter asked why the incentive was needed if the economy was strong.
President Donald Trump reiterated his plan to issue a $5,000 "Trump dividend" to every U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. The proposal, which could exceed $1.3 trillion, was outlined at the Republican Party's midterm convention and later clarified by Vice President JD Vance, who said the payment would exclude high-income individuals.
During a press encounter at Dallas airport, a reporter asked why such a payment was necessary given the administration's economic performance. Trump answered that the dividend is meant as a reward for Americans who have endured what he described as a "horrible" situation under Biden's policies. He emphasized that the payment is not intended to boost voter turnout but to compensate citizens for the perceived hardships of the prior administration.
When the reporter followed up about earlier promises of tariff-rebate checks and a proposed "DOGE dividend," Trump responded with a repeated "not you" and criticized the reporter’s network, saying it was "the worst." The White House has not commented on the exchange.