After last week’s Republican midterm convention, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) had a few things to say about President Donald Trump’s $5,000 promise to voters.
During his remarks, Trump said he would give $5,000 to every voter who backed the Republican Party this November. This week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) backed the promise, telling reporters it would require congressional approval but that he would work to make it happen.
But Democrats like Rep. Crockett are more than skeptical about the plan.
“Now that they're back from their creepy cult convention that took place in my district, right there in Dallas, the Republican love bombing is in full effect,” Rep. Crockett said.
According to federal law, bribing voters or “vote buying” is against the law. Though Trump did not explicitly offer voters money in exchange for their votes, Rep. Crockett says it still crosses a line.
“Some who know the law may say it's against the law. Some that don't know the law would actually say it as well,” she said. “It sounds like a bribe because it is a bribe. In fact, we call it vote buying or vote bribing.”
Rep. Crockett pointed to when the Trump administration promised $5,000 checks from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in 2025. The agency was created to cut government spending and decrease the national debt, which has now reached over $40 trillion.
“If I run you back to our actual debt, let me tell you, it ain't down,” Rep. Crockett said. “It's going up a lot, and you still didn't get your DOGE check.”
More recently, President Trump also promised checks to working-class Americans from tariff rebates.
“Last time I checked, I don't know anybody that got a dose check nor a tariff check, so I really would not fall for this new scheme of offering $5,000,” Rep. Crockett added.
Rep. Crockett said voters have the opportunity to change the balance of power in Washington.
“In 49 days, you, the American people, can end this country's toxic, narcissistic relationship with unified Republican control of government,” she said.
