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Live updates: Trump promises $5K 'dividend' to all adult Amercians if GOP keeps control of Congress

Speakers who preceded him attacked their Democratic opponents as "radicals."

President Donald Trump promised the crowd at the GOP's first-ever midterm convention Wednesday that if Republicans hold on to the House and Senate he'll issue a $5,000 "dividend" to every adult American.

Speakers who preceded the president took aim at their Democratic midterm opponents, characterizing them as "radicals" and "dangerous."

Trump and Republicans from across the country are in Dallas for two nights to support the slate of candidates running this year and to tout the administration's agenda going into November in their first-ever midterm convention.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 09, 2026, 10:50 PM EDT

Fetterman defends appearance at GOP convention

In a statement to ABC News, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman defended his decision to introduce his Republican colleague and fellow Pennsylvanian Sen. Dave McCormick via video at the convention, calling McCormick a "great American and friend."

A video featuring Sen. John Fetterman plays at the Republican convention, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.
Alex Brandon/AP

"We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA," Fetterman said.

Fetterman also committed to remaining in the Democratic Party.

"I'm a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on," he said later in his statement.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie and Olivia Osteen

Sep 09, 2026, 10:37 PM EDT

Trump promises $5,000 to all adult Americans if Republicans win the House and Senate

Trump promised the convention crowd that he'll issue a $5,000 "dividend" to all adult Americans if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during the RNC Midterm Convention, Sept. 9, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

"Because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000," Trump said, likening it to what "a successful company will do a cash distribution to its shareholders."

Trump said the only condition attached is that the money must be spent in the U.S.

Sep 09, 2026, 11:04 PM EDT

Bessent warns of 'socialist hellscape," touts tariffs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that "it's a time for choosing" in the upcoming elections, arguing Trump is urging voters to prevent the "socialist hellscape" he says America will turn into if Republicans lose their majority -- while presenting the economy in positive terms.

"As it turns out, Washington wasn't incapable of working for the American people. All we needed was a new president," Bessent said, later adding, "President Trump has turned this country around once before, and he's doing it again."

Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent speaks during the Republican National Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Sept. 9, 2026.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Bessent also touted Trump's tariffs strategy.

"The president's plan was never just a tax cut, never just a tax cut. His economic program is bolstered by trade deals and deregulation, and tonight, a new industrial super cycle is moving," he said. "From investment into production, blueprints to paychecks, everything from GDP to factory payrolls is firing up."

Despite costs rising today as well, Bessent pointed to cost-of-living pressures in previous years, and blamed "the radical left" for it.

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Sep 09, 2026, 9:53 PM EDT

Not quite a packed house

As the president began his speech, there were several rows of empty seats in some pockets in the American Airlines Center.

Pockets of empty seats were visible as President Donald Trump began his address to the Republican midterm convention, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.
Rachel Scott/ABC News

Trump often brags about crowd size and loves to see a packed arena.

-ABC News’ Rachel Scott

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