President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his proposal to give $5,000 to every adult in the United States, saying Republicans could make it happen if they win the midterm elections. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ireland, Trump said the plan would be easy for Republicans to handle because the government is bringing in enough money to afford it.
Trump also used the moment to attack Democrats, saying they could not make the same promise and warning that if they tried, “it’ll all go to hell right away.” His remarks followed the rollout of the plan earlier this month at a Republican National Committee midterm event in Dallas, where he described the payment as a “Trump dividend” tied to the country’s economic strength.
Trump said the payments would be funded through tariff revenue and other income, but that claim has drawn skepticism. Treasury data cited in the article shows net tariff revenue since early 2025 at about $341 billion, while a broad set of tariffs was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in February, triggering refund orders worth about $166 billion.
Paul Berman, a George Washington University law professor, said the president cannot do this unilaterally and pointed to Congress’ power over federal spending. The article also notes that the proposal would require congressional approval, making its future uncertain even as Trump continues to push it.
