US President Donald Trump has claimed that sending $5,000 to every American adult would be easy to fit into the federal budget if Republicans keep control of Congress. Speaking to reporters in Ireland on Sunday, Trump said the government is collecting so much money that the payouts would not be a problem.
“I don’t know but it’s easy if the Republicans win. $5,000 to all adults in the country and we can easily handle that because we’re taking in so much money,” Trump told journalists. He was in Ireland attending a golf tournament at his club in Doonbeg when he made the remarks.
Trump first announced the idea during a speech at the Republican Party convention last week. On Sunday he repeated that the United States has enough funds to deliver the money. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that any such payment would still need approval from Congress. “Of course, the devil’s in the details. We have to figure all that out,” Johnson said on CNN.
Democratic leaders quickly criticised the proposal. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it not a serious idea. Senator Mallory McMorrow pointed to earlier cancelled subsidies and questioned whether people would actually receive the money even if Republicans win. She suggested the promise was unrealistic.
Republican Representative Mike Lawler also stopped short of fully backing the plan. He said he supports putting money back into Americans’ pockets but stressed the need to explain how the country would pay for it, given the large national debt.
Consumer advocate Lisa Gilbert described the offer as an attempt to buy votes ahead of the November elections. She argued that promising cash to influence voters goes against democratic principles.
The debate shows how the proposed $5,000 payouts have become a major talking point. Trump insists the money is available, while critics say the plan lacks clear funding details and may not materialise. With elections approaching, the idea continues to draw strong reactions from both sides of the political divide.
