▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 9th (local time) that if the Republican Party wins the midterm elections in November, he will distribute $5,000 (approx. 6.7 million won) to every American adult.
Speaking at a Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, that day, President Trump declared, "If the Republican Party wins both the House and the Senate," adding, "We will provide a dividend of $5,000 to every adult citizen of the United States."
President Trump emphasized, "It is very similar to how a successful company distributes cash dividends to its shareholders," and added, "This is my promise."
President Trump attached a condition, stating, "That money must be spent within the United States."
He added, "If the Republicans win, you win too, and you get $5,000. It will be called the 'Trump Dividend.'"
Currently, the Republican Party led by President Trump controls both the House and the Senate in the federal legislature, but views are emerging that in the midterm elections, the Democratic Party could recapture the majority status not only in the House but also potentially in the Senate.
Although specific financial resources and distribution methods for the dividend were not disclosed, it appears difficult to avoid criticism that this is essentially a vote-buying pledge put forward ahead of the elections.
Legal controversies surrounding this are also expected to flare up.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has promised direct cash support to Americans.
Last July, upon launching tax-deferred savings and investment accounts for American children (dubbed 'Trump Accounts'), it was announced that a one-time support of $1,000 would be provided to children born during President Trump's term.
Last December, special dividends of $1,776 each were distributed to U.S. service members.
The amount of $1,776 signifies the year the United States was founded (1776).
That day, President Trump focused on appealing to voters suffering from high inflation by promising not only dividends but also tax cuts.
He mentioned, "We will make the 'Trump Tax Cuts' permanent so that the Democrats cannot repeal them (even if they win the midterm elections)."
Appealing for votes for Republican candidates, President Trump also stressed, "Consider my name to be on the ballot."
He said, "It is a favor more important than the Trump Dividend," and urged, "Pretend I am running and go out to vote on November 3 (the midterm election day) or earlier (early voting)."
He also defended Senate Minority Leader John Thune, with whom his relationship has grown strained, and incumbent Senator John Cornyn, whose reelection was thwarted after failing to secure his endorsement in the Texas Senate primary, urging a unified front within the Republican Party.
Regarding the war with Iran, he repeatedly hinted at the possibility of bombing nuclear facilities, saying, "We may have to do it (strike underground nuclear facilities) again. There is another place called 'Pickaxe Mountain.'"
This remark came right after the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank, released an analysis that construction activity at this site, suspected to be an underground nuclear facility in Iran, has surged this year.
President Trump had previously mentioned the possibility of attacking Pickaxe Mountain on several occasions.
In his speech, President Trump warned, "Since someone said there was a bit of movement at that location, we might have to hit them there too," adding, "I want to advise Iran not to play games, because then we would have to strike them very hard."
He also claimed, "Thanks to the Space Force, we see everything," and "We can even see the tags on the clothes they (Iranian forces) wear."
Repeating the assertion that the United States "controls the Strait of Hormuz," President Trump taunted, "We will call it the 'Trump Strait.' The Iranian leadership will also be very pleased with that."
Addressing the Iranian regime, President Trump remarked, "They are desperately hanging on and hoping we lose (the midterms)," and "They are desperately eager to negotiate."
Regarding the "tariff war" with Canada, he said, "Things might work out well. Canada really wants a deal. They are trying to reach an agreement," but added, "However, that lake (Lake Ontario) will be called 'America Lake.'"
(Photo: Getty Images)
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