At his party’s midterm convention in Texas, President Donald Trump said that, if Republicans retain control of Congress in November, he “will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.”

That pledge reflects an epic lack of subtlety, even for Trump. It also places him in line with a long history of politicians from both parties who have implicitly and sometimes explicitly tried to buy votes with promises of government largesse. Given Trump’s other recent failed benefit check promises, it also suggests the prudent shouldn’t count on spending this latest proposed windfall anytime soon.

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