US President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the November midterm elections, making an extraordinary financial pledge as the party seeks to rally voters ahead of the poll.

Speaking at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, Trump described the proposed payment as a “dividend” and urged his supporters to treat the election as if he himself were on the ballot. Trump is not personally contesting the midterm election.

The proposal, however, comes without a detailed explanation of how the federal government would finance or administer such a large-scale payment. Reuters reported that providing $5,000 to every eligible adult could cost approximately $1.35 trillion.

Trump Links Payment to Republican Victory

Trump said the payment would be made if Republicans maintain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate after the November election.

He presented the plan as a benefit arising from what he described as the country's strong economic performance. Trump also said there would be a condition attached to the money: recipients would have to spend it within the United States.

The announcement was made during a convention designed to energise Republican voters and candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Funding Details Remain Unclear

One of the biggest questions surrounding the proposal is where the money would come from.

Trump did not provide a detailed funding plan during his announcement, instead arguing that the United States was generating substantial amounts of money. The scale of the proposed programme would make it a major federal spending commitment.

The Associated Press reported that the payment could cost more than $1 trillion and would require congressional approval. It also noted that tariff revenue has been discussed as a possible funding source, although current tariff collections would not be sufficient on their own to cover a payment of this size.

A Major Campaign Promise Before Midterms

The pledge comes at a critical point in the 2026 US political calendar. All 435 House seats are up for election, while control of the Senate will also be contested. The elections are scheduled for November 3.

Trump has made himself the central figure in the Republican campaign, despite not appearing on the ballot. His message at the Dallas convention was aimed at encouraging voters to see the election as a referendum on his administration and Republican control of Congress.

The unusual midterm convention itself has placed considerable attention on Trump's role in the Republican campaign.

Questions Over Economic Impact

The proposed $5,000 payment could have significant economic implications if implemented, particularly because of its enormous fiscal cost.

The United States is already dealing with high federal debt and a substantial budget deficit. Critics have questioned whether a programme of this scale could be financed without adding pressure to government finances.

The AP described the pledge as a “Trump Dividend” and noted that its implementation would face substantial fiscal and legislative questions.

Trump Seeks to Mobilise Republican Voters

Trump's announcement also reflects his broader strategy of making the 2026 midterms closely associated with his presidency.

At the Dallas convention, he urged supporters to “pretend” that he was on the ballot and framed Republican success as essential to advancing his political agenda.

For now, however, the $5,000 payment remains a campaign proposal rather than an approved federal programme. Its final value, eligibility rules, funding source and implementation would depend on legislation and congressional action.

With the midterm elections approaching, the pledge is likely to become a major point of debate over both Trump's economic agenda and the fiscal priorities of a potential Republican-controlled Congress.

 US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position by the end of August, saying she wants to spend more time with her family following the birth of her daughter.

Trump made the announcement on Wednesday through a post on Truth Social, praising the 28-year-old official and saying she would continue to remain close to his administration as one of his top outside advisers.

Leavitt separately confirmed her departure, describing the decision as “bittersweet” and saying the demanding nature of the press secretary's job had made it difficult for her to balance her responsibilities at the White House with motherhood.

Leavitt Cites Family Responsibilities

Leavitt said that after returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter Viviana in May, she realised she could not give both her children the time and attention they deserved while continuing in one of the administration's most demanding positions.

She said the decision was ultimately driven by her desire to be a better mother to her two young children.

Her departure will bring an end to a high-profile tenure during which she became one of the most recognisable members of Trump's communications team.

Trump said Leavitt would now serve as one of his key advisers outside the White House.

Youngest Press Secretary

Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when Trump returned to office in January 2025.

She was 27 when she assumed the position, surpassing the previous record associated with Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served as press secretary to President Richard Nixon.

Leavitt had already worked with Trump during his first presidency, serving as a press aide.

She later entered electoral politics and ran as the Republican candidate for New Hampshire's First Congressional District in 2022, but lost the election.

She subsequently joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and became part of his transition team before being selected as White House press secretary.

Frequent Exchanges With Media

Leavitt's tenure at the White House briefing room podium was marked by frequent confrontations with journalists.

She became known for aggressively defending Trump's policies and challenging reporters over questions involving the administration.

Her statements also attracted scrutiny from fact-checkers. Among the claims that drew criticism was her assertion that tariffs amounted to a tax cut for Americans, a statement that was rated false by PolitiFact.

Despite the controversies, Trump repeatedly praised her communication skills and performance as his chief spokesperson.

In one of his earlier comments, he described her as an effective communicator and publicly praised her prominence within his administration.

Departure Comes During Difficult Period

Leavitt's exit comes at a politically challenging time for the Trump administration.

Trump's approval ratings have faced pressure in recent surveys, with voters expressing concerns about rising prices and the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The White House press secretary has therefore been operating at a time when the administration has faced intense questioning over foreign policy, economic conditions and domestic political issues.

Leavitt's departure will mean the White House will have to appoint a new public face for its daily interaction with journalists.

Trump's announcement did not immediately identify her successor.

Trump Praises Leavitt

Trump's announcement was notably positive toward Leavitt despite her decision to leave the administration.

He praised her service and said she would remain part of his broader political team as an outside adviser.

The president has frequently highlighted Leavitt's loyalty and ability to defend his administration during difficult exchanges with the media.

Her decision, however, appears to be primarily driven by family considerations following the birth of her second child.

Who Will Replace Her?

The White House has not yet announced who will succeed Leavitt as press secretary.

During Trump's first presidential term, the White House went through four press secretaries — Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.

The next appointment will be closely watched as the administration prepares for another phase of its presidency amid political and economic challenges.

For now, Leavitt is expected to remain in the role through the end of August before beginning what she described as a new chapter in her life.

US President Donald Trump's political fundraising network has amassed more than $400 million in cash reserves, significantly strengthening Republican campaign efforts ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. The latest filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows that the Trump-aligned MAGA Super PAC has dramatically expanded its financial resources, positioning it as one of the most influential political spending organizations in the country.

The fundraising milestone comes at a critical time, as Republicans prepare to defend their narrow majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with several closely contested races expected to determine control of Congress.

Campaign War Chest Crosses $400 Million

According to the FEC filing, the MAGA Super PAC ended June 2026 with more than $400 million in cash, up from approximately $300 million at the beginning of the year.

The substantial increase provides Republicans with significant financial resources months before voters head to the polls in November. Political analysts believe the committee's large cash reserve will enable extensive spending on television advertisements, digital campaigns, grassroots outreach, and voter mobilization efforts in key battleground states.

Super political action committees (Super PACs) are permitted to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates, provided they operate independently and do not coordinate directly with official campaign organizations.

Billionaire Donors Boost Fundraising

The latest fundraising report highlights continued support from several high-profile and wealthy contributors.

Among the notable donors is NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who contributed $1 million to the committee.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss each donated $10 million, with FEC records indicating that both brothers sold portions of their Bitcoin holdings to finance their contributions.

The donations underscore Trump's continued ability to attract major financial backing from influential business leaders despite an increasingly competitive political environment.

Republicans Aim to Protect Congressional Control

The Republican Party currently holds slim majorities in both chambers of Congress, making the 2026 midterm elections particularly significant for President Trump's legislative agenda.

Control of the House and Senate could depend on a relatively small number of competitive races, increasing the importance of campaign funding and political advertising.

The MAGA Super PAC played a major role during the 2024 presidential election, spending nearly $377 million to support Trump's successful White House campaign and Republican candidates across the country.

Party strategists expect the organization to remain central to Republican campaign efforts throughout the 2026 election cycle.

Political Challenges Remain

Despite its fundraising success, the Trump administration enters the midterm campaign facing several political challenges.

Public opinion surveys have indicated declining approval ratings in recent months, driven by concerns over the US-Israel-Iran conflict, rising energy prices, and broader economic pressures affecting American households.

Democrats are expected to focus heavily on these issues while campaigning to regain control of Congress.

Political observers note that although fundraising alone cannot determine election outcomes, substantial financial resources allow campaigns to communicate more effectively with voters, expand outreach operations, and respond rapidly to political developments.

High-Stakes Midterm Battle Ahead

With more than $400 million already available months before Election Day, the MAGA Super PAC enters the campaign season with one of the largest political war chests in recent US history.

The fundraising advantage is expected to play a crucial role in competitive House and Senate contests, where even a handful of closely fought races could determine which party controls Congress after the November elections.

As campaigning intensifies in the coming months, both Republicans and Democrats are expected to increase fundraising efforts, making the 2026 midterms one of the most closely watched electoral contests in recent years.

Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as US Intelligence Chief Over Family Health Crisis

Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as the US director of national intelligence, citing her husband’s recent bone cancer diagnosis as the primary reason behind the decision. The resignation will reportedly take effect on June 30.

Exit After Oval Office Meeting

Former Democratic leader-turned-Republican figure Tulsi Gabbard informed US President Donald Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, according to multiple US media reports that surfaced late evening local time.

In her resignation letter, Gabbard thanked Trump for the opportunity to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a role she had held for nearly 18 months.

She reportedly wrote that she was “deeply grateful” for the trust placed in her during a politically turbulent period for US intelligence agencies.

The key reason, according to sources familiar with the matter, was her husband’s diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. No additional medical details were immediately made public.

Major Intelligence Changes

During her tenure, Gabbard pushed through several structural and administrative changes across intelligence agencies.

Officials had earlier claimed that spending cuts and workforce restructuring initiated under her leadership could save the US government close to $700 million annually. Several internal reviews and consolidation efforts were launched across departments linked to intelligence coordination.

One of the more debated decisions involved shutting down DEI — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — programmes in certain government offices. Supporters described the move as an effort to streamline administration, while critics argued it weakened representation efforts within federal institutions.

Release Of Documents

Gabbard also oversaw the public release of hundreds of thousands of government records.

These included files linked to the Trump–Russia investigation, along with documents related to the assassinations of former US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.

Documents tied to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation were also declassified. Gabbard had repeatedly alleged that intelligence assessments concerning Russian interference in the 2016 US election were used politically to undermine Trump’s victory.

That claim remained controversial in Washington and drew criticism from several former intelligence officials.

Counterterror Measures Highlighted

The National Counterterrorism Center, functioning under the wider intelligence framework, reportedly blocked more than 10,000 individuals with alleged terror or drug cartel links from entering the United States in 2025.

Officials also said over 85,000 names were added to or maintained on terror watchlists during the period.

Though the exact operational role played by Gabbard in those measures remains unclear, supporters within Republican circles frequently pointed to the numbers while defending her tenure.

Shift From Democrats

Gabbard’s political journey has remained unusual by modern US standards.

A former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq War veteran, she left the Democratic Party in October 2022, accusing party leadership of being controlled by what she described as an “elite cabal.” She later campaigned alongside several Republican candidates before formally aligning herself with Trump’s political camp.

Before that shift, she had twice sought the Democratic presidential nomination, first gaining national attention during the 2016 cycle and later during the 2020 Democratic primaries.

Her sharp exchange with Kamala Harris during a televised debate in 2019 became one of the most widely discussed moments of that primary season.

Background And Public Image

Despite frequent assumptions online, Tulsi Gabbard is not of Indian origin. She was born into a Samoan-American family and has publicly addressed the confusion several times over the years.

Her mother later adopted Hinduism, and Gabbard herself has identified with the faith for much of her adult life.

She also served as a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserve and was deployed during the Iraq War, a background that helped shape her national security profile long before entering the intelligence establishment.

With her resignation now confirmed, attention is expected to shift toward who the Trump administration may appoint next to oversee US intelligence coordination ahead of a politically charged election cycle.