Trump Revives $5,000 'Dividend' Promise for Americans

Donald Trump has once again promised $5,000 in direct payments to every adult American, contingent on Republicans securing control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming elections. The former president reiterated this pledge, dubbed the "Trump Dividend," during a rally in Alaska aimed at boosting the re-election campaign of incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan.

During his address, Trump specified that the funds "gotta be spent in the United States of America" to prevent them from going to countries like China. He previously made a similar promise at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas in early September. Some supporters, like Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, have expressed reservations about such "bread and circus bribes," despite general support for the administration's goals.

While past large-scale spending promises from Trump's presidency did not materialize, he did fulfill a "warrior dividend," distributing $1,776 to 1.4 million military personnel in December 2025.

The rally also saw Trump address a heckler, with security removing the individual from the venue. Trump commented on the situation, praising law enforcement and repeating a jest about the heckler's parents voting for him. Similar remarks were made following an incident at a previous rally in Ohio where protesters were manhandled by police.

Trump also directed criticism at Sullivan's opponent, Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola, calling her a "nut job" and accusing her of being a "No-Show Mary" for allegedly missing meetings in Washington D.C. He urged voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot" in support of Sullivan, whose seat is considered competitive.

Peltola's campaign has emphasized her independent stance within the Democratic party and her bipartisan work on energy legislation. Her press secretary, Caroline Etgen, had previously stated that Peltola looks forward to working with Trump to "unleash Alaska energy and lower costs." The race is seen as a toss-up by The Cook Report, though some polls indicate Peltola may hold a slight lead.

Peltola, the first Indigenous person elected from Alaska to Congress, announced a record $17 million in third-quarter donations for her Senate campaign. Key issues for Alaskan voters in this election include rising living costs, fuel prices, and fisheries.

The rally marked Trump's first official visit to Alaska during his current term, excluding a summit with Vladimir Putin in August. He also announced during the event that Taiwan had committed to purchasing 30 percent of Alaska's new liquified natural gas pipeline over the next 20 years, though details of the deal remained unclear. A previous announcement regarding a South Korean investment in a natural gas pipeline in September was noted as not yet finalized by a South Korean official.

Trump is scheduled to visit Arizona and Montana on Wednesday.