[Thursday 5am] Trump puts himself back on the ballot: 5 takeaways from GOP midterm convention Night 1

DALLAS — Facing a difficult political environment as Republicans fight to hold their congressional majorities, President used his address at the first-ever GOP midterm convention to unveil an unusual offer: a $5,000 dividend for every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans hold their House and Senate majorities.

With less than two months until the — and early voting just weeks away — Trump and Republican leaders on the first night of the two-day convention used their speeches to showcase policy wins and paint Democratic Party politicians as far-left radicals.

Facing energized Democrats and stiff political headwinds, Trump and Republicans are using the gathering at the American Airlines Center in Dallas to motivate the party's MAGA base and boost turnout in key races that will determine control of Congress.

"I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot," the president urged, as he rallied his supporters.

Here are five takeaways from night one at what's been described by Republican leaders as a "Trumpapalooza.

Trump's offer to Americans

Nearly an hour into his address, Trump unveiled what he described as "the best part of the speech," direct payments to the Americans funded by tariff revenues if Republicans retain control of Congress.

"If the Republicans win the ​House of Representatives and the United States Senate, ⁠ both of them," Trump announced, "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."

The president didn't reveal any other details, other than to add, "The only caveat I have is ​that the dividend that we're making must be spent in the ‌United States of America."

Democrats quickly pounced on the president's proposal.

"Donald Trump and Republicans are once again offering empty promises to Americans," Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer claimed in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Trump's 'tremendous' economy

Amid persistent inflation, a new surge in fuel prices due to a flare-up in the ongoing war with Iran, and a deepening trade war with neighboring Canada, public opinion polls indicate Trump's approval ratings on the economy remain underwater.

But the president painted an optimistic picture of better times ahead.

"Im bringing the prices down, way, way down," Trump touted. And he said that "oil will be going down as soon as we win the war with Iran," which he said. "is taking place right now."

Trump also showcased the tax cuts passed lasted year along party lines by the GOP-controlled Congress.

"The largest tax cuts in the history of country," he highlighted. "We gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security."

He also pointed to "the largest prescription drug price cuts in history... that alone should win the midterms."

While Trump touted "tremendous economic success," public opinion polls paint a very different picture, with the president's approval rating on his handling of the economy well into negative territory. Inflation was a key issue that helped boost Trump and the GOP to sweeping election victories in 2024. But Democrats say affordability has been the issue that fueled their ballot box victories and overperformances since Trump returned to the White House.

The DNC, which remains in debt and decided against holding a similar convention, is more than happy to focus on the economy.

"The only people reaping the benefits of Trumps economy are himself, his family, and his ultra-rich elite donors. Meanwhile, working families get nothing except sky-high receipts at the grocery store and the pump, unaffordable healthcare premiums, and wages that arent keeping up with inflation," the DNC's Witmer charged.

'Crazed lunatics'

Midterm elections are often a referendum on the part