‘How Can This Be Legal?’ Trump’s Shocking New Ad Doubling Down on $5,000 Payout Leaves Critics Gobsmacked

Eric Gay/AP

Critics are hopping mad following President Donald Trump’s release of a video doubling down on his promise to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans keep control of Congress after the midterms.

Trump posted the video to Truth Social Monday that includes a cameo by the “DoorDash Grandma” used in a April stunt to promote his “No Tax On Tips” portion of The Big Beautiful Bill.

“I’m going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5,000,” Trump said on the video. “Democrat policies won’t allow this to happen. In fact, the opposite. They’re going to raise your taxes. If the Democrats win, you will have an economic depression. If the Republicans win, you will each have $5,000 in your pocket and economic success for our country like we have never, ever seen before.”

The ad had critics accusing Trump of trying to “buy” the election, and of promoting “socialism.”

Journalists like Chris Cillizza have been asking, “How can this be legal?” but members of Congress haven’t taken any steps to block Trump’s proposal.

Journalists Ed Krassenstein and Brian Krassenstein both accused Trump of “bribing” Americans.

“You’re literally bribing Americans to vote. I can’t wait for Democrats to win the House and the Senate and immediately impeach you,” Brian wrote, while Ed posted, “Trump is so desperate he’s bribing Americans with socialism. Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. Trump could have done this anytime over the past 2 years. Does anyone really believe him?”

Yahoo Finance’s Scott Melker wrote, “My God. So the DoorDash grandma, where he literally gives her the cash bribe, is probably my favorite part of that. But how anyone can buy any of this garbage blows my mind. We’re gonna give everyone $5,000 from thin air, but if you don’t get the $5,000, the Democrats are gonna raise your taxes and print more money. What? We’re doing the quiet parts out loud.”

“I don’t care who you are politically or where you stand. First of all, nobody’s giving you $5,000,” Melker continued. “Second of all, buying votes is literally illegal. Third of all, that requires the very money printing that we do not believe in. If you ever wanted an advertisement for why to buy Bitcoin, watch that 33 seconds from Trump again.”

More reactions:

Trump first announced his plan to send the “dividend” checks to Americans during a speech at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.

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