Trump promises $5,000 payouts if GOP wins midterms: Can the US afford it?

United States President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payout for every adult US citizen if the Republican Party holds onto its narrow control of both houses of Congress at the upcoming midterm elections in November.Trump headlined a large Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, this week, in a bid to energise Republican supporters amid poor polling that indicates there could be a surge of support for the Democratic Party across the country.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Republicans divided over Trump’s economy as RNC beginslist 2 of 3Trump vows to be at centre of US midterms: Republican convention takeawayslist 3 of 3Trump: Every American gets $5,000 if Republicans win House & Senateend of listBut at a time of rising energy prices, inflation, an ongoing and deeply unpopular war with Iran and rising national debt, the move has prompted questions about whether the world’s biggest economy can actually afford to pay what has been dubbed the “Trump dividend” to 270 million adult Americans – and whether it would even be legal to do so.What has Trump promised?“Because we’ve done so well and because our country is making so much money, that only I can make you this ...