President Donald Trump’s promise of $5,000 dividend checks for eligible Americans is running into a wall of skepticism from the very voters it’s meant to court, according to interviews conducted by Fox News Digital.
Trump floated the idea at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas last week, tying the payout to GOP retention of House and Senate majorities in the upcoming midterms. The pitch has since triggered debate over whether the government could actually afford it, and whether it would ever clear Congress.
Most voters who spoke with Fox News Digital were unconvinced. “Personally, I think it’s just a publicity stunt and I don’t think that it’s ever gonna happen,” said a voter named William. “It’ll need to go through Congress, and I don’t think with the midterm elections… the possibility of that happening is just so far down the road.”
That’s not an idle concern. The proposal would need congressional approval, and it remains unclear where the funding would actually come from.
Daniel, a voter from Maryland, pointed to the nation’s $40.1 trillion national debt as reason for doubt. “I don’t think we have the money for that,” he said. “And I think if we did, it should be going a couple different other places than that for sure.”
Liz, from Alexandria, Virginia, was less diplomatic. She called the idea “absolute nonsense” and said flatly, “I don’t believe a word that man ever says.”
Another voter recalled unfulfilled promises from Trump’s past. “Last time I remember he promised a stimulus and a couple other things. None of that happened,” they said.
Trump has argued the checks would be paid for with tariff revenue. But the math is a stretch: the plan carries an estimated price tag of roughly $1.2 trillion, far more than the record customs duties collected so far under his tariff policies.
Not everyone was dismissive. Some voters said they’d welcome the money, particularly if it’s restricted to Americans who work. “I think he’s limiting it to American citizens and adults who work,” one supporter said. “We’ve given a hell of a lot of money to people who don’t deserve it. It’s about time hardworking citizens of America get the money they deserve.”
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