President Donald Trump’s promise to pay $5,000 dividends to every American citizen landed with a thud on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” Thursday morning, with host Lawrence Jones apprehensively offering Trump an alternative to his unprecedented plan.
Trump made the promise while speaking at the RNC midterm convention Wednesday in Dallas, Texas, and the pledge was immediately labeled a “bribe” by countless critics. “Fox & Friends” host Rachel Campos-Duffy lavished praise on the idea Thursday, calling it “creative” and “brilliant.”
“This shows just how creative, rule-breaking and out of the box President Trump is,” Campos-Duffy said. “I'm surprised no one's thought of this before! I mean, it's actually a great way to sort of get that momentum, push things forward, especially if you're running as the incumbent in a midterm.”
Conversely, Jones appeared less than enthralled with the idea.
“If I could just... modify something for the president that could be a little bit helpful. Instead of the $5,000, promise the American people [you're] gonna modify the tax bill, you're gonna get another tax cut and make it where we don't have to pay out $5,000,” Jones said.
“Make sure that we keep it, that way we're not waiting for this refund or something like that. I think you're gonna get more support for that than the $5,000, which, you know... we see when they do these types of... it's gonna run up the debt, obviously. Inflation as well. And then you also go through who qualifies for it?”
Trump has previously floated $5,000 checks for Americans related to his short-lived Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as well as $2,000 tariff rebate checks, both of which never materialized.
Trump's promise to give Americans $5k if the GOP holds its congressional majority gets a sour reception from Fox & Friends' @LawrenceBJones3
"If i could just… modify something for the president"
"Instead of the $5k, modify the tax bill… It’s gonna run up the dept" pic.twitter.com/DPrsZZE1C3
— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) September 10, 2026
