The president doubled down on his idea to pay Americans if the GOP keeps control of Congress in November. But the House speaker was more circumspect.
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President Donald Trump doubled down over the weekend on his idea to pay every American $5,000 if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in November — while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was noncommittal.
Trump told reporters Sunday the checks were “going to happen — 100 percent.” He said that he came up with the idea “a while ago” and that “the people deserve it because they were treated so badly by the Democrats and by Biden,” referring to the former president.
Johnson said Sunday that Trump would need Congress to act and called it a “creative idea” on CNN.
In another appearance Sunday on “Meet the Press,” Johnson said Congress would consider the idea but did not commit to delivering on it.
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“Like every idea that the president comes up with — he’s a great idea generator — we’re going to process that in Congress and figure it all out,” Johnson said.
Some Republicans have voiced concerns about the cost — estimated at more than $1 trillion — and how the payments would affect inflation.
Trump announced the “Trump dividends” at the GOP midterm convention last week, comparing the payments to dividend checks that companies send to shareholders. The only caveat, he said, is the money would have to be spent in the United States.
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