"Is Trump Desperate?" "What's the Impeachment Grounds?" Pulling Out Desperate Cards, But "Are There Still Americans Being Fooled?" Only Democrats Are Thrilled (Trump NOW)

Ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, President Donald Trump is going all-out to rally his base. He held the Republican Party's first-ever "Midterm Convention," urging voters by saying, "Imagine I am on the ballot," and "If you don't vote, you are going to hell."

Pro-Trump figures converged at the convention, including Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senator Ted Cruz. Hardline remarks such as "Let's defeat the communists" and "America is under attack from within" followed one after another from the podium, and President Trump even exchanged a "voting pledge" with his supporters.

The most striking card played by President Trump was a cash payout pledge. He promised that if the Republicans win both the House and the Senate, every adult U.S. citizen will be paid $5,000 per person, a so-called "Trump Dividend." Citing tariff revenues and economic growth as funding sources, he emphasized, "If Republicans win, you win together and get $5,000."

When some criticized it as "MAGA-style socialism," President Trump rebutted, saying, "It's not communism, it's great entrepreneurship." Asked about the impact on the fiscal deficit, he also claimed, "It won't be a big deal at all" and "Our people deserve to get that money."

However, the reaction of Americans outside the convention hall was cold. A Michigan resident said, "I burst out laughing when I heard they would give a $5,000 check if Republicans win, and it sounds like a bribe," while another resident asked, "Does it sound like they're trying to buy votes with money, and who pays for that money?" In New York, there was also cynicism: "The people who believe they're going to get $5,000 are the ones who believe everything Trump has ever said."

The Democrats also launched an offensive regarding a "money-driven election." California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized it, saying, "It's pathetic and sad that he has to go out in front of people and practically offer a bribe," and Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed defined it as a "clear quid pro quo transaction."

President Trump finds it difficult to rebound his approval ratings amid the prolonged war with Iran and the burden of living costs. While drawing a line by saying, "Even if I went back to that time, I would do the same," and that he has no regrets about his Iran policy, he has thrown down a gamble of a "$5,000 dividend" for midterm victory, but the public sentiment of Americans viewing this remains divided.

Reported by JIN Sang-myeong | Video by Hong Jin-young | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.