Texas Democrats Criticise Trump's $5,000 Dividend Pledge at GOP Convention

Texas Democrats on Thursday criticised President Donald Trump's pledge to pay every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, calling the proposal unrealistic and pointing to earlier promises that were never delivered.

The promise was made at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. Trump compared the payments to corporate dividends and cited economic success as the basis for the plan. The proposal could cost more than $1 trillion and would deepen the country's annual budget deficit, which stands at nearly $1.8 trillion.

Representative Robert Garcia dismissed the pledge outright. "Look, Donald Trump is a known liar. This is the biggest liar to ever serve in government. Period. And look, the dividend is not happening," he said. He recalled previous dividend announcements on tariffs and another floated from Air Force One that never materialised, adding that voters want the president to focus on lowering the cost of gas and groceries and expanding health care.

Representative Madeleine Dean was equally blunt. "I don't say this proudly. He's not well, he is delusional," she said, referring to the president's recent public statements and social media posts. She argued that the $5,000 cheque waved before the audience ignored the reality of household finances, saying people's pockets had probably lost $5,000 this year.

The proposal follows an earlier idea for a $2,000 dividend that would not have required congressional approval. Trump has explored unconventional approaches as he seeks to defy the historical pattern of the president's party losing seats in midterm elections.