President Donald Trump promised a $5,000 payout to every American adult if Republicans keep control of Congress in November. The announcement came during the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas and coincided with a new poll showing his approval rating at 32%, down three points from August and marking the lowest level since tracking began in May.
Trump characterized the pledge as a dividend, comparing it to a company paying shareholders, and stated it would be funded through economic success. He provided no details on funding mechanisms or timing for the payout.
His approval numbers continue to decline across multiple measures. A separate Financial Times/Focaldata poll found only 22% approve of his handling of the economy, with 71% disapproving. Reuters/Ipsos and University of Massachusetts Amherst polls show his general approval underwater by approximately 30 points.
The economic backdrop includes rising oil prices, with Brent crude topping $102 a barrel following fresh US strikes on Iranian tankers. Analysts note this energy cost increase complicates the Federal Reserve's rate decision scheduled for September 15 and 16.
Prediction markets have shifted in response to the polling trends, with Polymarket bettors now giving Democrats better-than-even odds of sweeping Congress in November. Bitcoin's spot price traded near $77,900 at the time of the announcement, up approximately 0.7% over 24 hours, with the speech itself leaving prices largely unchanged.
