At the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump made a stunning and implausible pledge: to send every American adult a $5,000 cash dividend.But only if his party maintains control of the House and the Senate in November's midterms."If the Republicans win, you win with us," Trump said to applause.
"And it will be called the 'Trump dividend'.Congratulations.
Now all we have to do is win."That's a big "if." Republicans are facing significant political headwinds."We might not win," Trump admitted.Quick math puts the bill for this proposed "dividend" at more than $1 trillion.Plus, it's illegal to pay or be paid to influence voting.
Trump's speech last night was a wide ranging, rally-style speech where he did everything from defend the Iran war to criticize the fashion sense of one Republican Senate candidate.He attacked Democrats as communist and extremists and begged Republicans to vote in November as if he were on the ballot."Please pretend that I'm running," he said.
"If we don't have the majorities, so much can be lost."Trump spoke for an hour and 44 minutes, far longer than scheduled.He will deliver closing remarks tonight as well."But I'm not doing a big deal like this," he joked."I gave you a lot of material.
I don't have to do it twice."The two-night event, hatched by Trump, was meant for Republicans to energize the base ahead of the midterms."It took a little imagination to think of it," Trump said of the first ever Republican midterm convention.In a preview of what to expect tonight, the focus on Trump was clear as the event kicked off Wednesday, with a lineup of Republican lawmakers, candidates and everyday Americans, praising the president and his policies.It was capped off by Trump's headlining speech.Speaking to an arena with whole sections of empty seats, Trump rallied the party faithful."The midterms are not supposed to be won by [the party of] the sitting president, and we're going to change that," Trump said, promising to visit the...