President Trump wrapped up the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday with an unconventional call to action, asking attendees to raise their right hands and pledge to vote in November—while warning that failure to do so would have eternal consequences.
“Please raise your right hand,” Trump told a stadium filled with supporters, sparking some laughter. He then led the crowd in a pledge that framed the election as a moral imperative.
“I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can’t even breathe, that I will go out with my family, my friends,” he continued. He added, with characteristic hyperbole, “I don’t care if I’m registered or not. I’m going to try and cheat like hell like they do. There’s never been bigger cheaters. I don’t care. I am going to go out and I am going to get my friends, my family, and we are going to vote on Nov. 3rd or we are going to vote before that.”
Trump did not specify which party attendees should support, but the context made it clear. “Okay. So help me God,” he concluded, before delivering the stark warning: “You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell. You know that, okay? You go to hell, and I don’t want that to happen to you. So please go and vote, because together we will defeat the communists.”
The pledge came at the end of a speech that was notably shorter than his Wednesday night address, as he seeks to energize his conservative base ahead of the midterms. The convention itself has been a showcase of the party’s strategy, with Vance and Trump headlining the final night of the event.
Republicans face significant historical headwinds in their effort to maintain control of both chambers. The president’s party typically loses seats in the first midterm election, and Trump’s approval ratings have been sliding. Economic frustration is also weighing on the party, as reflected in the generic ballot.
To counter these trends, Trump and his allies are betting on maximizing turnout among his loyal supporters. On Thursday, he revived a proposal that has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle: a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every adult American if Republicans retain their majorities.
“If we win the midterms, we will on the other hand, we will provide a, let’s call it a Trump dividend, $5,000 for every adult citizen in our country,” he said. “And we can do that because our country has never done better. We’re taking in trillions, trillions of dollars. There’s never been any country, not even close, that’s come anywhere near.”
“We win $5,000 for every adult. We love our adults,” he added.
The proposal has been met with skepticism, including from some Republicans. Critics question the fiscal feasibility and the political wisdom of tying a cash giveaway to election outcomes. Trump, however, has defended the plan, framing it as a reward for the country’s economic performance under his leadership.
As the midterms approach, Trump’s rhetoric and policy promises are part of a broader effort to defy historical precedent and overcome a challenging political environment. Whether the pledge and the dividend will resonate with voters remains to be seen.
