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By
Danielle Gamiz
September 15, 2026
Summary
Trinity University political science professor David Crockett examines the political and fiscal challenges surrounding President Donald Trump’s proposed $5,000 payments to American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. Crockett discussed with KSAT 12 how congressional approval could factor into implementing the proposal.

In an effort to rally voters around republican candidates in November’s midterm elections, President Donald Trump told attendees of last week’s mid-term convention in Dallas he’ll pay $5,000 to every American adult if the GOP keeps control of the U.S. House and Senate. This would cost about a trillion dollars–money Trump said would come from tariff proceeds.

Trinity political science professor David Crockett, Ph.D., shed light on the challenges of covering such an unprecedented payout with KSAT 12 last Thursday. “I guess he could try it in the form of a tax credit, and this, of course, is why he wants to keep republicans in control of congress, because it wouldn’t happen if they didn’t,” Crockett said. The full story can be found at minute 12 of this video.