Trump Offers $5,000 Tax Rebates to Win Midterm Congress

Aspen —President Donald Trump promised every American adult $5,000 on Wednesday night if Republicans win Congress in November. The proposal could cost more than $1 trillion, a figure that drew immediate criticism from budget experts and members of his own party.

The promise capped the first night of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, an event where the party is racing to protect its House and Senate majorities. Republicans opened the second day of the convention on Thursday with a clear understanding that historical trends are not in their favor. They are counting on Trump to propel voters, even as he acknowledges the inherent difficulty of midterm elections for a sitting president.

“The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president,” Trump said during a lengthy primetime speech. He framed the upcoming election as a referendum on his leadership, encouraging voters to cast their ballots with a specific instruction: “Pretend I’m on the ballot.”

The convention is also serving as a preview of what might follow after Trump. Vice President JD Vance takes center stage with a primetime speaking slot just ahead of the president on Thursday. Vance has not officially said whether he will run for the White House in 2028, but he is widely expected to do so. Trump has yet to name an heir apparent, leaving the party’s future leadership structure in a state of flux.

The event is taking place at American Airlines Center, a venue that has seen a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. While many Republicans skipped the "confab," those present are focused on overcoming voter concerns about the economy and the war with Iran. The group is struggling to bolster enthusiasm for congressional candidates, a challenge that persists despite the president’s low approval rating.

Supporters at the venue expressed confidence in the party’s roster of candidates. Bruce Johnston, 62, drove 29 hours with his son from Delaware to be in Dallas. “We’ve got a deep bench,” Johnston said. “I mean you’ve got a lot of good candidates. I’d pick any of those for the primary. And we’ll get a good one.”

His son, Anthony, 33, offered a more specific assessment of the vice president’s role. “No one’s Trump,” Anthony said. “But I like him a lot.” He believes Vance is being groomed as Trump’s successor, a transition that will likely be scrutinized closely in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are in Texas for a second day of counterprogramming to challenge the Republican narrative. They blasted the convention as an opulent spectacle for an out-of-touch president. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, highlighted the disconnect between the party’s festivities and economic reality. “As Donald Trump and JD Vance party away for two days, the average American family can’t afford the groceries,” Garcia said. “Donald Trump does not care about the average American family or about affordability.”

Outside the venue, the atmosphere was more contentious. Protesters chanting “say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump’s not welcome here” marched down the streets. Police stopped them from getting too close to the site, creating a physical barrier between the party’s internal celebration and its external critics.

Republicans spent the first night denouncing Democrats as extremists, a standard tactic that aims to unify its base. But with the next presidential election two years away and control of Congress at risk this November, voters are still assessing their options. The convention is less about the candidates on stage and more about the organization’s ability to translate its messaging into votes in a challenging political climate.

Vance’s keynote will be closely watched for any hints about his political aspirations beyond the vice presidency. He has demurred on whether he will run for president in 2028, but his presence at the top of the bill signals a shift in focus. The group is showcasing its accomplishments and eyeing 2028, even as it fights for survival in the current cycle.

The $5,000 check remains a central point of contention. It is an outlandish promise that budget experts panned roundly, yet it serves as a tangible symbol of the party’s attempt to connect with voters on economic issues. Whether that connection holds up in a November ballot box remains the central question of the campaign.

As the second day unfolds, the focus shifts from the spectacle to the substance. The organization is laboring to overcome voter concerns about the economy and the war with Iran, hoping that solidarity with Trump is still their best shot at winning. The outcome will determine whether the group can hold onto its congressional majorities or if it faces a significant reckoning this fall.

The convention ends, but the political battle continues. The streets of Dallas have already shown that support is not uniform, and the challenge for Republicans is to convert the energy of their base into a broad enough coalition to survive the midterms. The next two years will reveal whether this strategy works or if it leaves them vulnerable in a post-Trump era.