US President Donald Trump has drawn ridicule and accusations of trying to buy votes after promising Americans a $5,000 payment if Republicans retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
President Trump made the extraordinary proposal during the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, telling voters: “If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000.” He called the payment the “Trump dividend”. The proposal could cost the US government between $1.2 trillion and $1.35 trillion and would require congressional approval.
The proposal comes as Presidenrt Trump’s popularity has collapsed to the lowest level of his political career. His approval rating currently stands at 33%, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, with Republicans facing the possibility of losing control of Congress in November. Trump has even asked Republican voters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot”.
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump outright of trying to buy the electorate.
“After making you sicker and poorer with his war, Donald Trump now wants to buy your vote with $5,000 in taxpayer-funded blood money,” Governor Newsom said.
Even some Republicans have expressed reservations. Republican Congressman Chip Roy questioned how more than $1 trillion in payments would be financed, while other Republicans warned that the proposal could increase borrowing, interest rates and inflation. Trump’s administration has suggested tariff revenues could help fund the payments, although current tariff revenues fall nowhere near the amount required.
Malta has already had its own version
In Malta, we have already seen a smaller version of the same electoral formula.
During the May general election, the Labour Party promised an annual €1,000 “super bonus” to workers if it was returned to government. The measure was estimated to cost taxpayers around €200 million every year and became one of Labour’s headline electoral pledges.
The €1,000 bonus formed part of a much wider package of subsidies, grants, tax reductions and direct payments announced during the campaign. The Malta Chamber of Commerce had warned at the time that the election was degenerating into a “supermarket-styled” bidding war.
President Trump calls his $5,000 payment a “dividend”. Labour called its €1,000 payment a “super bonus”. In both cases, taxpayers will ultimately have to finance the electoral generosity.
Newsroom
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