The Wall Street Journal's editorial board on Thursday tore into President Trump's proposal to send $5,000 checks to every American adult if Republicans win both chambers of Congress in November, labeling the plan "preposterous" and economically reckless.
The board calculated that the dividend, applied to roughly 240 million adult citizens, would carry a price tag of about $1.2 trillion. "The amount is so preposterous that you'd almost think Mr. Trump is trying to show voters the absurdity of such income redistribution," the editorial read.
Trump unveiled the idea during a speech at the Republican National Committee's convention in Dallas on Wednesday evening, promising a "dividend" to every adult citizen if the GOP secures the House and Senate. He did not specify how the government would fund the payouts.
The proposal sparked immediate pushback from within his own party. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned it could "lead to more debt and inflation," while former Representative Bob Good of Virginia dismissed it as a "socialist vote-buying scheme." DeSantis's criticism echoes his earlier condemnation of the plan as fiscally irresponsible.
The Journal's editorial board argued that Trump is using the dividend to deflect from growing dissatisfaction over his administration's tariff policies, particularly the recent duties on Canadian goods. "Mr. Trump is resorting to this because voters are unhappy about inflation and don't think his economic policies have helped them," the board wrote. "His tariff tax increases are a big part of the reason. If he repealed those, he'd give the country an economic dividend without spending a dime."
The U.S. imposed tariffs on a broad range of Canadian imports last month after trade negotiations stalled. Canada retaliated with its own duties, prompting Trump to announce steeper tariffs on Canadian goods set to take effect early next year. The escalating trade dispute has added to economic uncertainty.
Trump's economic approval ratings have also suffered amid ongoing military operations against Iran. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping lane, has pushed global energy prices higher, further straining household budgets.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The dividend plan has become a flashpoint in the campaign, with some Republicans—including Senator Ted Cruz—suggesting a more targeted approach, such as refunding workers via tax credits rather than blanket checks.
Critics argue the proposal is a political gimmick designed to rally voters ahead of the midterms, but its fiscal implications and lack of funding mechanism have drawn sharp scrutiny from fiscal conservatives and economists alike.
