Trump's $5,000 check pledge: What it would cost and what it would take

President Donald Trump has promised every American adult a $5,000 payment if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate on Nov. 3. Here is what is known about the plan.

The promise

Trump announced the "Trump dividend" on Sept. 9 at a Republican gathering in Dallas, PBS NewsHour reported. He tied it to the economy's performance and compared it to a company paying shareholders. Payments are pledged only if the GOP holds both chambers, and recipients would be expected to spend the money in the U.S., Newsweek reported.

The cost

Sources: PBS NewsHour; Newsweek.

Administration officials have offered different answers on how to pay for it. Vice President JD Vance pointed to tariff revenue, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said it would not be tax money, and economic adviser Kevin Hassett mentioned a budget reconciliation bill, Newsweek reported.

Erica York of the Tax Foundation told PBS the checks would use up almost all the revenue the current tariffs are projected to raise over a decade. The Supreme Court struck down most of Trump's earlier tariffs in February.

What it would take

Only Congress can authorize the spending. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, says he will introduce a bill after the election. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., has said he cannot support it without a way to pay for it, Newsweek reported.

Earlier pledges of $2,000 tariff checks and "DOGE dividend" payments were never sent, PBS noted.