President Donald Trump came to battleground North Carolina reaffirming his tantalizing and implausible midterm promise. “If we win,” he said, “we get $5,000. So that’s it. Simple.”
The Republican candidates who spoke at the rally had nothing to say about it.
Their silence reflects a broader pattern. About a week after the president announced his “Trump dividend” Promise at the party unusual interim conference in Dallasthere is hardly any evidence for this Republicans in contests have integrated it into their campaigns.
The promise was not a regular feature of television advertising, either by Trump’s own political campaign or by his party’s candidates. It typically only comes up when reporters ask about it, leading most Republicans to avoid the idea.
The Republican National Committee views the proposed payments as part of Trump’s broader economic vision and says the candidates should get behind them.
“Of course, we encourage all Republican candidates to run on his agenda, and that includes efforts to put more money in the pockets of the American people,” said spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre.
There are some exceptions. Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is seeking re-election in a battleground Wisconsin district, has praised the proposal.
The idea comes as the economy faces rising interest rates, persistent inflation and rising fuel costs. Republicans are fighting to retain their majorities in the House and Senate.
Trump had previously promised to use savings from the Department of Government Efficiency and revenue from import tariffs to distribute payments of $2,000 or more, but none of this has been implemented. The president said he wasn’t thinking Congressional approval would be required For the idea that could cost more than a trillion dollars, but House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the promise would force the legislature to act.
Democrats point to previous proposals for a payout to stoke skepticism about the $5,000 pledge.
“This idea is nothing more than a recycled broken promise that voters know Republicans will never keep,” said Viet Shelton, a spokesman for the House Democratic campaign division.
Republican campaign advertising focused largely on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including provisions that temporarily reduce taxes on tips and overtime. Other candidates focus on local issues or attacks against their opponents.
Doug Heye, a Republican strategist and former communications director for the Republican National Committee, said there was little mystery about why candidates were reluctant to embrace the pledge.
“That’s a stupid idea,” Heye said. “There is no way to pay for it and it would drive up inflation.”