President Trump says he doesn’t think $5,000 dividend payments would need to be approved by Congress

Updated on: September 10, 2026 / 3:28 PM CDT / CBS Texas

A day after President Trump unveiled the idea of sending a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" to every American citizen after the midterm elections if Republicans hold the House and Senate, he's sharing more details about the plan in an exclusive interview with CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink.

Mr. Trump says he doesn't think Congress would need to approve the payments, which he called "a great infusion" — money he says would have to be spent in the U.S., not other countries.

The president is in North Texas this week, delivering the keynote address Wednesday and closing remarks Thursday night at the first-ever Republican midterm convention being held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

During his speech Wednesday night, he stood by his decision to launch the war with Iran, endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate race, and surprised the crowd with the $5,000 dividend proposal. Mr. Trump is sure to face pushback if he attempts to send dividends without approval from Congress. It's not clear what legal authority the president has for such payments, which could cost upwards of a trillion dollars.

Ahead…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/