Trump’s promise of $5,000 ‘dividend’ for US citizens after midterms met with incredulity

Critics call bid for Republican votes ‘bribery’ and point to potential $1.2tn cost added to existing national debt

Donald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.

“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said during the unprecedented Republican midterm convention in Dallas. “It will be called the Trump dividend.”