Trump mocks $5,000 dividend spending power at Texas rally
The president joked that the proposed payment would barely cover a meal at Mar-a-Lago, drawing attention to the $1.2 trillion cost of the plan.
By Chloe Martin ·
President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the $5,000 he promises to pay American adults would not buy much at his Florida club.
Speaking at a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, Trump used the payment to illustrate the high cost of living at Mar-a-Lago. According to a transcript of his remarks, he said, “The problem is that for $5,000, the most you’ll be able to buy is a hamburger and maybe a small dessert.” He advised people worried about prices to avoid the property.
The comment came as Trump pushed his pledge to send $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections. Married couples would receive $10,000 combined. Recipients must spend the money within the United States.
Trump first introduced the plan, named the Trump Dividend, in Dallas on September 9. He points to tariff revenue and economic growth as funding sources, but his administration has not released a detailed financing plan or a schedule for payments.
An estimate cited by CNBC puts the total cost at approximately $1.2 trillion, assuming 240 million eligible adults receive the check. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that congressional action is necessary to authorize the payments, and no bill has passed yet.
Economists have warned the proposal could increase inflationary pressures depending on how the funds are raised and spent. A CNBC survey released on October 23 found that 55% of registered voters believe prices are rising faster than usual. Federal data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows consumer prices rose 3.7% in the 12 months ending in September.
Source: WIBC
