Trump Proposes $5,000 Dividend at GOP Midterm Convention

Former President Donald Trump headlined the Republican Party's first-ever national midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10, 2026. The two-day gathering was designed to energize the party's base and support candidates ahead of the November elections, functioning more as a large-scale rally than a traditional convention. During his keynote address, Trump proposed a "Trump dividend" of $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He urged attendees to "pretend that I'm on the ballot" and treat the midterm elections as a referendum on his leadership and agenda. The proposal, which critics noted would cost over $1 trillion and lacked specifics on funding or legality, drew applause from the convention's attendees. The convention's focus was heavily on Trump, with organizers dubbing it "Trumpapalooza." The agenda emphasized core Republican issues such as immigration, taxes, and the economy, framing Democratic policies as extreme. However, the event saw the notable absence of several Republican candidates running in competitive races, with some citing cost or scheduling conflicts.