Trump promises more than $5,000 checks and Russia frees U.S. citizen: Morning Rundown

Trump is making big promises on the campaign trail — but with strings attached.Special envoy Steve Witkoff praises President Vladimir Putin after Russia frees a retired American teacher.

And actor Christina Applegate reveals an MS misdiagnosis.Here’s what to know today.Trump keeps promising ‘goodies’ on the campaign trail — only if Republicans winIt’s not just $5,000 checks President Donald Trump is promising to Americans if Republicans win the midterms.He’s teasing “more goodies” that won’t come to states if the Democrats take hold of Congress.This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day.

Sign up here to get it in your inbox.Just this week in Kansas while rallying for Republican Sen.Roger Marshall, Trump promised the sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol would no longer be restricted in the summer.

In Kentucky, he promised a $100 million investment in a pharmaceutical company’s manufacturing facility.In Ohio, Trump said he’d “very strongly” consider the state for the Space Force Academy.

But only if his preferred Republican candidates win and the GOP maintains control of Congress.It’s part of a pattern for Trump, using the power of his office as a carrot — or stick — to advance his politician ambitions.Democrats have criticized the president’s statements about making support conditional.

And more broadly, there has been some skepticism about his claims.A recent NBC News Decision Desk poll found that just 14% of U.S.

adults expect the $5,000 check Trump pledged.Even 47% of self-identified Republicans say they don’t expect to receive one.Read the full story here.Dive deeper into the 2026 election:See the latest polling and the battleground states in play.Track early voting tallies by age, gender and more.How are things looking in Texas? See who’s running and how Republicans and Democrats fared in past elections.

Then, scroll to the end of the page to explore data in other states.More politics news:For...